Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who avoided detention due to the court's dismissal of the arrest warrant, expressed, "I deeply thank the judiciary for clearly proving that it is the last bastion of human rights."
At around 3:50 a.m. on the 27th, Lee, who came out of the main gate of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, said, "First, I thank the many people who stayed with me at this late hour, and the citizens who are still awake watching this scene. Although it seems that politics is done by politicians, it is actually done by the people," he said.
In the early morning of the 27th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking as he leaves the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Lee said, "Politics is always about taking care of the lives of the people and pioneering the future of the nation. I hope that both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the government, will not forget this and return to true politics, which is not a war to kill and eliminate the opponent, but a competition to see who can properly fulfill more roles for the people and the country."
He continued, "The day after tomorrow is Chuseok, a holiday to be joyfully celebrated, but the lives of our people and the current issues of our economy and livelihood are extremely difficult," adding, "I ask the government, the ruling party, and all political circles to become entities that give hope to the people and help the future of this country."
Lee bowed his head, saying, "I once again deeply thank the judiciary for firmly protecting the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea and making wise judgments."
When asked by reporters how he would respond to future investigations, he did not answer and returned to Green Hospital in a prepared black car.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting Democratic Party lawmakers as he leaves Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, after his arrest warrant was dismissed in the early morning of the 27th. [Joint Coverage] [Image Source=Yonhap News]
On that day, after leaving Seoul Detention Center, Lee shook hands one by one with the newly appointed floor leader of the Democratic Party, Hong Ik-pyo, Secretary-General Jo Jeong-sik, and Supreme Council members Jeong Cheong-rae, Go Min-jung, Park Chan-dae, Seo Young-kyo, and Jang Kyung-tae, who were waiting.
Yu Chang-hoon, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, who conducted the pre-arrest interrogation of Lee the day before, dismissed the arrest warrant early that morning, stating, "Considering the necessity of guaranteeing the suspect's right to defense and the degree of concern for evidence destruction, it is difficult to see grounds and necessity for detention to the extent that the principle of non-detention should be excluded."
Regarding the charge of breach of trust under the Specific Economic Crimes Act, alleging that Lee caused at least 20 billion KRW in damages to Seongnam Urban Development Corporation by excluding participation in the project, Judge Yu pointed out that although there is suspicion of Lee's involvement, "direct evidence itself is insufficient." Regarding the charges of bribery under the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act and violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act related to North Korea remittances, he stated, "There appears to be room for dispute regarding the suspect's awareness, conspiracy, and degree of involvement." However, he judged that the charge of witness tampering against Lee seemed to be substantiated.
Regarding concerns about evidence destruction, Judge Yu found no concern for evidence destruction in relation to Lee's witness tampering charge and the Baekhyeon-dong related charges, considering the already secured human and material evidence. Regarding the North Korea remittance case, although there are circumstances suggesting inappropriate involvement by people around Lee concerning the testimony of former Gyeonggi-do Peace Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that Lee directly intervened. Considering that Lee is the current party leader and subject to public scrutiny and criticism, it is difficult to definitively say there is a concern for evidence destruction.
Immediately after the court dismissed Lee's arrest warrant, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated, "While acknowledging that the charge of witness tampering has been substantiated and there is considerable suspicion of the suspect's involvement in the Baekhyeon-dong development corruption, it is difficult to accept the judgment that there is room for dispute based on Lee Hwa-young's testimony recognizing the suspect's involvement in the North Korea remittance case."
Furthermore, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said, "Acknowledging that the charge of witness tampering has been substantiated means that evidence destruction has realistically occurred, yet the court judged there is no concern for evidence destruction. It is contradictory to recognize circumstances suggesting inappropriate involvement by surrounding figures but still judge there is no concern for evidence destruction." They added, "The prosecution will continue to conduct supplementary investigations and firmly uncover the truth according to law and principles."
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