On the 30th, at the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is voting on the arrest consent bill for Assemblyman Ha Young-je. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Some Democratic Party members filed a main lawsuit on the 30th following a provisional injunction request to suspend the duties of party leader Lee Jae-myung.
Party member Baek Gwang-hyun announced that he had filed the main lawsuit to suspend Lee's duties at the Seoul Southern District Court that afternoon. In addition to Baek, 678 Democratic Party members were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
Baek stated, "We object to the hasty procedures of the Democratic Party's Executive Committee and are initiating this main lawsuit following the previous provisional injunction request," adding, "Based on Article 80 of the party constitution, Lee, who has been indicted on charges of corruption, should have his duties suspended."
On the 23rd, Baek also filed a provisional injunction request with the court to suspend Lee's duties for the same reason. This injunction involved 324 Democratic Party members including Baek.
On the 22nd, the Democratic Party held an Executive Committee meeting and decided to maintain Lee's position as party leader despite the allegations of preferential development in Wirye and Daejang-dong and suspicions regarding Seongnam FC sponsorship funds, for which he has been prosecuted on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.
Article 80 of the Democratic Party's constitution stipulates that if a party official is indicted on charges related to corruption such as bribery or illegal political funds, the Secretary-General may suspend their duties.
However, an exception is made stating that "if it is recognized that there are unjust reasons such as political oppression, a different decision can be made through a resolution of the Executive Committee."
The Democratic Party classified the prosecution of Lee as political oppression and applied this exception clause.
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