Court to Hold Separate Hearing to Review Merger of Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong Cases

Prosecution: "Consolidated Hearing Facilitates Discovery of Substantive Truth"
Representative Lee's Lawyer: "Two Cases Are Completely Separate, Simultaneous Proceedings Impossible"

The court decided to hold a separate hearing to determine whether to consolidate the cases involving Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, concerning the Daejang-dong, Wirye, and Seongnam FC allegations, and the Baekhyeon-dong development preferential treatment allegations.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, is entering the courthouse to attend the trial on the 20th at the Seoul Central District Court regarding the preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town development projects and the allegations related to Seongnam FC sponsorship funds. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

The Criminal Division 33 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun) stated on the 20th during the third trial session of the Daejang-dong case and others, "We will promptly hold a preparatory hearing to review the additional assigned cases."

The prosecution requested the court, saying, "Since it is considerably easier to uncover the substantive truth, we ask that the two cases be consolidated and heard before proceeding with the full witness examination."

However, Lee’s defense attorney argued, "The two cases are completely separate," adding, "The main trial is scheduled to proceed in the order of Wirye, Daejang-dong, and Seongnam FC, but it is already struggling significantly, so simultaneous proceedings are practically impossible and would rather reduce the focus on the cases."

Currently, Criminal Division 33 has been assigned the Daejang-dong and related cases, the Baekhyeon-dong case, and the perjury coaching charges against Lee. The court is expected to decide whether to consolidate the perjury coaching case as well.