Lee Jae-myung's Warrant Hearing, Custody Decision to Be Made Today

Departing from Noksaek Hospital on the 26th for Detention Hearing
Decision on Detention Expected as Early as Tonight...Ruling and Opposition Parties on Alert

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, faced a crossroads that could determine his political life on the 26th. On the day he underwent a pre-trial detention hearing, if he is detained, he is expected to face pressure to resign; if released without detention, he is likely to launch a major counterattack. Both ruling and opposition parties are closely watching the outcome of Lee's hearing.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been indicted on suspicion of preferential treatment in the Baekhyun-dong development project and involvement in Ssangbangwool's North Korea remittance allegations, is attending the pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the morning of the hearing, Lee left the Green Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, where he had been hospitalized during a hunger strike, and headed to the Seoul Central District Court. Holding a cane in one hand, Lee appeared unsteady at times. He received cheers such as "Stay strong, leader" from supporters gathered in front of the hospital, shook hands with fellow party members including lawmakers Jeong Cheong-rae, Ko Min-jung, and Seo Young-kyo, and then got into a car.

The hearing is expected to be a fierce battle as it concerns the legitimacy of the prosecution's investigation and Lee's political survival.

The hearing will address allegations of preferential treatment in the Baekhyeon-dong development project, perjury coaching, and remittance to North Korea by Ssangbangwool. Regarding the Baekhyeon-dong allegations, Lee is charged with breach of trust for providing preferential treatment to private developers, causing significant losses to Seongnam City. He is also accused of coaching perjury by asking a close aide of lobbyist Kim In-seop to give favorable testimony in a trial related to the 'impersonation of a prosecutor' case, and of having Ssangbangwool Group cover the costs of his visits to North Korea during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been indicted on suspicion of preferential treatment in the Baekhyun-dong development project and involvement in Ssangbangwool's North Korea remittance allegations, is attending the pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 26th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The People Power Party is leaning toward Lee's detention. Jang Dong-hyuk, the party's floor spokesperson, said in a statement, "Today is not just about Lee Jae-myung but the fate of the judiciary of the Republic of Korea," adding, "If the status of the leader of the main opposition party becomes a reason to dismiss the warrant, the judiciary itself is acknowledging privilege." Jang emphasized, "Petitions from hardline supporters cannot be grounds for dismissal of the warrant," and "Petitions from Democratic Party lawmakers obtained through intimidation also cannot be grounds for dismissal." He further stated, "The Democratic Party is producing fake news targeting the judge in charge of the warrant and Minister Han Dong-hoon, which is a clear obstruction of justice," and stressed, "The warrant hearing must be conducted according to law and conscience without any political considerations."

The day before, the Democratic Party submitted a petition to the Seoul Central District Court to dismiss the warrant, signed by 894,117 people including four former National Assembly speakers (Jeong Se-gyun, Moon Hee-sang, Lim Chae-jung, Kim Won-ki), party members, and supporters both online and offline. Among Democratic Party lawmakers, 161 out of 167 signed the petition. The petition urged the judiciary, the last bastion of the rule of law and democracy, to block what they called an unfair warrant request by the prosecution. They stated, "Lee Jae-myung has faithfully responded to prosecution summons and trials without neglecting party affairs. The leader's role is essential for the normal and smooth functioning of the Democratic Party," and "Considering the harm to the public, the leader of the main opposition party should not be detained."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Voices calling for dismissal of the warrant emerged within the party a day before the hearing. The Democratic Party's Committee Against Prosecutorial Dictatorship and Political Oppression held a press conference the previous day, stating, "The prosecution is ignoring the principles of non-detention investigation and presumption of innocence, and intends to detain the leader of the main opposition party based solely on their imagination and wishes," and "The reckless detention warrant by political prosecutors must be dismissed." At the Supreme Council meeting, members pressured the judiciary. Supreme Council member Ko Min-jung said, "The political investigation by the Yoon Seok-youl administration aimed at eliminating the main opposition party is a public opinion-driven investigation that severely infringes on the right to defense. We expect the judiciary's judgment to guarantee the right to defense." Council member Park Chan-dae emphasized, "The charges the prosecution presents are groundless, and there is no risk of evidence destruction or flight."

The Democratic Party considers Lee's dismissal (release without detention) the best-case scenario, but internal party conflict remains a challenge. Especially, the People Power Party may face a backlash if Lee's detention warrant is dismissed. Yoo Sang-beom, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said on MBC Radio in the morning, "If the warrant is dismissed, serious conflicts within the Democratic Party will surface first," predicting "a public massacre of the non-mainstream faction and some kind of people's tribunal-like pressure." He added, "Of course, after that, a fierce attack from the Democratic Party against our government and ruling party is expected," and "In that case, we will inevitably have to walk a path involving facts, public welfare, negotiation, and compromise."

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong appeared on KBS Radio the same day and criticized, "Thinking that we will gain a windfall if the Democratic Party splits or experiences internal strife is truly pathetic," pointing out, "When people think of the People Power Party, there are no policies that come to mind." He continued, "There is nothing concrete about what the People Power Party will change in our lives," and "Without that, if we continue to respond only to opposition party mistakes or just Lee Jae-myung as we have so far, will that work?"