Lee Jae-myung Requests Trial Postponement Again... Court Denies Request

"Understanding Election Campaigns but Difficult to Change"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, repeatedly requested the court to postpone two scheduled trials right before the election, but his requests were denied.

On the 29th, Lee attended the trial related to Daejang-dong, Seongnam FC, and Baekhyeon-dong involving charges of breach of trust and bribery, held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun). He requested a change of trial dates, saying, "It is the election campaign period, so how could it not be possible?" However, the court responded, "We understand that you need to campaign, but as we said before, it seems it cannot be changed." The defense counsel again asked to postpone at least one of the two trial dates, but the court rejected the request, saying, "It is difficult to change."

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 29th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee must attend two more trials on the 2nd and 9th of next month before the general election. When the court set the trial schedule on the 26th, Lee's side requested a change, saying it was "too harsh," but the court refused, stating, "If we adjust the schedule, it would be seen as preferential treatment." The court also warned that if Lee fails to appear without permission, a warrant for his arrest would be issued.

Lee's side submitted a request to change the trial dates to the court the day before, but it was not accepted. While attending the trial that day, Lee told reporters, "Although the 13-day election period is very precious, I respected the court's decision and came to court," adding, "I think this itself is probably the result that the political prosecution under the prosecution dictatorship aimed for." He then said, "I believe that our party members, supporters, and the people will judge the regime's reckless actions and regression on April 10," as he headed into the courtroom.

During the trial, there was also a dispute between the prosecution and the defense over the scope of witness examination of Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of planning at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation. The court will continue Yoo's witness examination in the trials on the 2nd and 9th of next month. Afterwards, lawyer Nam Wook, a private contractor involved in Daejang-dong, is scheduled to be examined as a witness.