Prosecution "Hope No Recurrence" Shows Discomfort
Court "Attendance Required in Principle"
Yoo Dong-gyu "I Created Seongnam Mayor's Construction Pledge"
Lee's Side "Not Possible Without Candidate's Consent"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was hospitalized after being attacked with a weapon, attended the trial on the 23rd but left early with the court's permission.
On that day, Lee appeared at the trial concerning the Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong preferential development allegations held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Chief Judge Kim Dong-hyun). He stayed during the morning session but requested to leave shortly after the afternoon session began.
Lee first appeared in court on the 19th for the public official election law violation case following the attack incident. Having attended court for two consecutive days, including the perjury coaching charge the previous day, he reportedly complained of deteriorating health.
When the court granted permission considering his health condition, the prosecution expressed discomfort. The prosecution stated, "In principle, the defendant should attend the trial," and added, "We cannot comment as we cannot verify the defendant's situation, but we hope such situations do not recur in the future."
The court said, "We are trusting the defendant's word and permitting his early departure," and advised Lee, "Attendance should be the principle going forward."
In principle, the defendant must attend criminal trials. However, if the defendant does not attend, the trial may be postponed, but witness examination can still proceed in court.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the continuation of the first trial related to the 'Daejang-dong breach of trust and Seongnam FC bribery' case at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
At the preparatory hearing held on the 12th to discuss procedures after Lee’s attack, Lee’s side stated that attendance would be difficult for the time being due to health reasons. The court responded, "If we proceed according to Lee’s schedule, it will never end," and announced it would proceed with the trial using regulations that allow witness examination even without the defendant’s presence.
During the trial that day, the defense resumed the cross-examination of Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of the Seongnam Urban Development Corporation (the Corporation). Yoo’s examination was held for the first time since November 21 of last year, delayed due to the court recess, Yoo’s traffic accident, and Lee’s attack.
Yoo claimed that during Lee’s 2010 Seongnam mayoral election campaign, he drafted 100 major construction-related pledges together with a former Seongnam city official. However, he said he only consulted with Jeong Jin-sang, former chief of political coordination at the Democratic Party leader’s office, and never discussed them with Lee.
In response, Lee’s side argued, "The main pledges were compiled based on candidate Lee Jae-myung’s experience and the opinions of academics and activists," adding, "It makes no sense to create pledges without consulting the candidate, as pledges must be upheld."
When Lee’s side inquired about the Corporation’s establishment process in 2013, Yoo replied, "From start to finish, Lee Jae-myung, Jeong Jin-sang, Kim Yong, and I led the process together." Lee’s side asked specifically what instructions Lee gave and what Yoo’s role was, but Yoo retorted, "How can I explain the details sitting here?"
When Lee’s side pressed again for specifics, Yoo raised his voice, saying, "Can a lawyer remember every meeting attended so far? Are you trying to argue with me?" The lawyer responded, "Lawyers are supposed to argue," leading to a heated exchange that required the court’s intervention.
The next trial is scheduled for the 26th. The court stated, "Since defendant Lee Jae-myung left early, he must appear at the trial on that day."
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