The Democratic Party intensifies attacks on Lee Jae-myung... "He has lost normal judgment"

The Democratic Party Seems to Seek a Turnaround in Negotiations for Committee Formation Through Public Opinion
Choo Kyung-ho: "Calling the Prosecution a Pet Dog Is an Extreme Statement"
Jeon Ju-hye: "If You Don't Trust Them, Request a Citizen Jury Trial"

On the 17th, the leadership of the People Power Party criticized Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was additionally indicted on suspicion of involvement in Ssangbangwool's illegal remittance to North Korea, for sharpening his attacks against the judiciary and the media. They said, "While already facing three trials related to Daejang-dong, election law violations, and perjury, he has now been indicted on third-party bribery charges, and with the addition of the North Korea remittance trial, Lee and pro-Lee lawmakers seem to have lost their normal judgment due to heightened emotions, fearing the truth will come out."

In particular, they criticized Lee and the Democratic Party's related remarks and the fact that the Democratic Party secured the chairmanships of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee as "Lee Jae-myung shielding." This is interpreted as an attempt to reverse unfavorable circumstances in the ruling and opposition negotiations over the National Assembly's leadership through public opinion.

On the morning of the same day, Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at an emergency committee meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, "Pro-Lee lawmakers are stepping up to defend Lee Jae-myung's remarks, and the Democratic Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee is acting to shield Lee. Can this be called a normal National Assembly or a legitimate political party?" He added, "I hope they will not be trapped in anti-democratic thinking, stop intimidating the media, and return to a normal state."

Earlier, on the 14th, before attending a trial at the Seoul Central District Court, Lee told reporters about his additional indictment, calling it "an unprecedented fabrication." He said, "Regarding this case, different panels of the same court have reached completely opposite conclusions, yet why have the media never pointed this out? Instead of reporting the truth, aren't they distorting and fabricating information like the prosecution's lapdogs?"

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Committee meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

As criticism against Lee intensified, pro-Lee figures and members of the Democratic Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee began to criticize the media as "giregi" (derogatory term for journalists) and claim that the prosecution deliberately indicted Lee, also criticizing the first trial judges. In response, Floor Leader Chu said, "Lee Jae-myung supporters are campaigning for the impeachment of judges, pro-Lee lawmakers are defending Lee, and the Democratic Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee is undermining the judiciary. This is the current state of the National Assembly controlled by the Democratic Party."

Chu also pointed out, "Just looking at how the Democratic Party is pushing through the Media Arbitration Act to muzzle the press shows their long-standing resentment toward the media. Even so, calling the prosecution 'lapdogs' is an extreme remark that should never come from the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly."

Kim Yong-tae, a member of the emergency committee, said, "The first trial panel led by former Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young deeply examined the internal connections of a series of cases and distinguished between substance and showmanship, which goes beyond the way Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party have managed judicial risks so far." He added, "The stock price manipulation or North Korea business investment, which the Democratic Party claims as the purpose of Ssangbangwool's $5 million remittance, is merely a secondary benefit resulting from Ssangbangwool's smart farm support payments."

Jeon Ju-hye, another emergency committee member, urged Lee, saying, "Apply for a citizen participation trial. If the defendant wishes, they can have a citizen participation trial. Since you say you cannot trust the prosecution, the media, or the court, please now reveal your grievances in front of the people."