Prosecutors Criticize "Repeated Lies to the Public"
Lee Refutes, "I Have Never Lied"
The prosecution has requested a two-year prison sentence for Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of making false statements during the last presidential election.
On the 20th, at the sentencing trial held before the Criminal Division 34 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Han Seong-jin), the prosecution asked the court to impose this sentence on Lee for violating the Public Official Election Act. The prosecution argued, "The defendant repeatedly lied to the entire nation during the 20th presidential election process to win the presidency, making the matter serious," and added, "Since the lies were repeated on highly influential broadcasts, it is clear that they had a significant impact on voters' choices."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of making false statements during the last presidential election, is seen waving to supporters as he leaves the Seoul Central District Court building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after the first trial sentencing hearing for violation of the Public Official Election Act on the afternoon of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The prosecution also stated, "To protect the constitutional values of election fairness and democracy, strict punishment is necessary regardless of status for distorting voters' choices through lies," and "If the application standards of the Public Official Election Act differ depending on the defendant's status and political situation, the purpose of the law to realize democracy will be nullified." Furthermore, they explained, "The sentence request was made solely based on the seriousness of the crime, the nature of the offense, the consequences, circumstances after the crime, prior similar offenses, and the court's sentencing guidelines, without considering the defendant's status or other non-judicial factors."
Lee was indicted without detention in September 2022 on charges of publicly making false statements during a broadcast interview on December 22, 2021, when he was the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. He falsely claimed that he did not know the late Kim Moon-gi, former Head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, as Kim was a subordinate employee during Lee's tenure as mayor of Seongnam. He also faces charges of making false statements on October 20, 2021, during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province, regarding allegations of preferential treatment in the land-use change of the Baekhyeon-dong Korean Food Research Institute site. Lee claimed that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which requested the land-use change, threatened to accuse him of dereliction of duty, forcing him to comply.
Regarding former Director Kim, the prosecution said, "The two had objectively confirmed special interactions spanning 12 years until shortly before Kim's death in 2021," and added, "Despite having unforgettable memories such as overseas golf and fishing during his mayoral term, the defendant lied, which would be quickly exposed, because he was running as a presidential candidate at the time."
About the Baekhyeon-dong issue, the prosecution pointed out, "Before the Daejang-dong risk was even contained, the Baekhyeon-dong allegations, a second Daejang-dong, emerged, cornering the defendant," and criticized, "The defendant meticulously prepared and turned the nationally broadcast live audit into a 'lie show'." They added, "The defendant has a consistent pattern of denying when there is no evidence and blaming others when there is," and said, "This case (Baekhyeon-dong) is a typical example of the defendant blaming others."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of making false statements during the last presidential election, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after the first trial sentencing hearing for violation of the Public Official Election Act on the afternoon of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
While explaining Lee's charges to the court, the prosecution metaphorically cited lyrics from popular songs. The prosecutor said, "The lyrics 'Even if that person looks at me, I don't know that person; even if I know, I can't remember' (from Lee Moon-se's 'When Love Passes By') reflect the defendant's position in this case," and pointed out, "It is clear that the defendant lied by claiming not to remember the interactions despite obviously knowing them to win the election."
On the other hand, Lee asserted his innocence in his final statement, saying, "At least regarding this case, I never deliberately told lies that contradict my memory." He referred to past cases where he was acquitted of Public Official Election Act violations, stating, "It cost a lot of money, caused hardship to those around me, and I suffered greatly, so I truly tried not to violate the Public Official Election Act," and questioned, "What benefit would there be for a presidential candidate to deliberately lie?"
Lee further said, "Is it right for the prosecution to abuse power by hiding and fabricating evidence, creating a nonexistent case, imprisoning me, politically killing me, and ultimately depriving the people's right to choose just because I am a political opponent of the president they serve?" He raised his voice, saying, "Ultimately, democracy is being severely damaged due to the prosecution's excessive abuse of power." Lee appealed, "Since the outcome is uncertain, I am extremely anxious. I trust the judiciary, the last bastion of human rights and democracy, to make a reasonable judgment based on objective facts and truth."
Lee's defense attorney argued in the final defense that regarding former Director Kim, "It is not the defendant who made false statements, but the indictment that contains false statements," and contended, "'Not knowing Kim Moon-gi personally during his time as mayor of Seongnam' is a subjective perception or expression of familiarity that cannot be proven and is inherently subjective." Regarding Baekhyeon-dong, the defense said, "'Dereliction of duty' was an ambiguous statement made because the exact term did not come to mind," and argued, "The crime of false statement requires intentional publication of false facts."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of making false statements during the last presidential election, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after the first trial sentencing hearing for violation of the Public Official Election Act on the afternoon of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The court concluded the arguments and scheduled the verdict trial for this case on November 15 at 2:30 p.m. If Lee is convicted of violating the Public Official Election Act and fined more than 1 million won, he will lose his seat as a member of the National Assembly and be disqualified from running for office for five years. Additionally, the Democratic Party will have to return 43.4 billion won in election funds received during the last presidential election.
Lee is currently indicted in a total of seven cases and is on trial as a defendant before four different courts. The trial for the perjury coaching allegation related to impersonating a prosecutor is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on the 30th.
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