The Democratic Party says, "Bulletproofing cannot cover the truth" in response to the 2-year prison sentence demand for Lee Jae-myung

Court Urged for Swift Judgment... "Justice Must Be Served"

On the 20th, the People Power Party stated that the prosecution's request for a 2-year prison sentence for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act represents "the realization of judicial justice as the natural order."

Spokesperson Kim Yeon-ju said in a commentary on the same day, "If there are criminal charges in elections, the flower of democracy, they must be corrected through the judgment of the law, which is the natural order." Kim pointed out that Lee's election law trial has been excessively delayed, emphasizing, "From now on, the judiciary must quickly reach a conclusion based solely on evidence, facts, and legal principles," and added, "The appellate courts after the first trial must proceed swiftly and accurately in accordance with regulations."

The sentencing hearing for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act was held on the 20th at the Seoul Central District Court. Before entering the courtroom after arriving at the court, Lee checked his watch and listened to reporters' questions. Behind him stand senior members and party officials of the Democratic Party. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Shin Dong-wook, chief floor spokesperson, evaluated in a commentary, "Although it is somewhat late, it holds great significance as it is the first to be concluded among Lee's 7 cases and 11 charges." He continued, "No matter how much the Democratic Party tries to impeach prosecutors to shield Lee, the truth cannot be covered up," urging, "Delayed justice is not justice. We expect the court's swift and wise judgment."

On the same day, Lee Han-dong, the party leader, responded to reporters at the National Assembly when asked about Lee's sentencing trial, saying, "The sentencing trial is for the judge to see, not for me."

Earlier, floor leader Chu Kyung-ho said at a floor strategy meeting, "Although the Public Official Election Act stipulates that all trials must be completed within one year, it is very regrettable that the first trial is only now concluding," and added, "Given the delay in the judgment, I hope the first trial court will make a fair judgment based on law and common sense without any political calculation."

On the same day, out-of-parliament party branch chairpersons of the People Power Party held a press conference at the National Assembly urging a guilty verdict for Lee. They announced that they would hold street protests until the sentencing trial for the perjury coaching suspicion related to Lee's impersonation of a prosecutor case, scheduled for the 30th. Ham Woon-kyung, chairperson of the Seoul Mapo-eul party branch, said at the press conference, "Until the 30th, we will hold the first street protest campaign urging the detention of defendant Lee Jae-myung and widely inform the public that the various provocations by the Democratic Party are acts to destroy the democratic republic."