Lee Jae-myung Attends Daejang-dong Trial... "Trial Proceeds Even Without Me"

Ahead of the April 10 general election, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who had previously been late or absent from court appearances, attended the Daejang-dong trial on the 26th and expressed strong dissatisfaction with the attendance procedures.

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, Seoul, on the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun) held the 17th hearing of Lee, who is on trial for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery) and other charges. Lee appeared in court and said, "I do not understand the prosecution's position that I must (necessarily) attend," expressing dissatisfaction by adding, "In fact, my cross-examination is already finished, and only the cross-examination of defendant Jeong Jin-sang remains. Even if I am not present, wouldn't the trial proceed without issue?"

Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who tested positive for COVID-19, appeared as a witness to undergo cross-examination by Jeong's side. The court suggested conducting the examination via video conference using relay equipment, citing Yoo's health condition and the risk of infection to Lee and others.

In response, Lee said, "It is also a citizen's right not to be in the same space with a COVID-positive person," adding, "While it is a right to face the witness and see their face in the same place, I am not sure if it must be done that way."

Lee's defense attorney argued, "Separating the trial is not necessarily impossible, and moreover, the election campaign period has started," asserting, "If the trial is separated, many procedural issues will be resolved."

However, the court effectively rejected Lee's claim. The court stated, "We have already explained why the trial will not be separated for defendant Lee Jae-myung," and after obtaining consent from both sides, decided to proceed with Yoo's witness examination face-to-face while all parties wear masks.

Previously, Lee was late or absent without permission from the Daejang-dong case trials held on the 12th and 19th, citing election campaign support activities. In response, the court on the 19th stated, "The trial is postponed due to the defendant's absence," but also warned, "If defendant Lee Jae-myung does not appear at the next hearing, we will consider compulsory summons from then on." The court also sent a defendant summons to Lee.