"Didn't Mind Missing Trial but Attended According to Principle"
"People Power Party May Secure Majority Seats... Worried"
Mentions Each of the 6 Constituencies Held by Incumbent People Power Party Members
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Daejang-dong trial on the day before the general election and turned on a YouTube live broadcast during the recess to encourage voting. As election campaigning was restricted due to his court attendance, he conducted last-minute campaigning online.
On the afternoon of the 9th, when the trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, was recessed during lunchtime, Lee said, "It is frustrating that the trial schedule was set on the most important day," and added, "I decided to broadcast to ask the public, supporters, and party members to do what I could not do." He continued, "What really worries me is that the People Power Party’s exaggeration and pleading tactics might shake people and cause them to give the majority to them," and said, "Under a normal democratic system, a regime that goes against the will of the people should not exist."
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is reading a prepared statement in front of reporters as he attends the trial on the Daejang-dong development corruption case held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 9th. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@
In the broadcast that day, he expressed his grievance about attending the trial on the last day of election campaigning. He said, "I could have not appeared in court, but I attended despite feeling frustrated and unfair because of the principle," and added, "The prosecution is indiscriminately indicting, aiming for this, so I have no choice." He also said, "The court mentioned that they could issue a warrant for detention, but since I will attend the next date, there is no need for a warrant," yet admitted, "However, there was some potential for trouble." Earlier, the court warned that if Lee was late or absent from the trial without permission due to the election again, a warrant for detention would be issued.
Lee listed regions classified as battlegrounds and urged viewers, "Please find acquaintances in these areas and ask them to vote for the opposition candidate or the Democratic Party candidate," emphasizing, "Wherever you are in the country, please make a phone call, send a text, or meet and persuade them." He added, "If you support the Democratic Party and belong to the democratic reform camp, the people around you likely have similar tendencies and thoughts." Lee mentioned the 'Han River Belt,' which includes Yongsan-gu, Seongdong-gu, and Mapo-gu in Seoul, as well as 'Bu-Ul-Gyeong (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam)' and some constituencies in Chungcheong.
On the afternoon of the 9th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is conducting a YouTube live broadcast during a recess. [Photo by YouTube channel 'Lee Jae-myung']
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