Cho Kuk on Lee Jae-myung's 2-Year Sentence Request: "Nitpicking to Destroy Political Life... Oppression Under the Name of Rule of Law"

Prosecution Seeks 2-Year Prison Sentence for 'Violation of Public Official Election Act'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, criticized the prosecution's demand for a 2-year prison sentence for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 21st, calling it "political repression carried out under the name of the rule of law."

Jo said on Facebook that day, "The prosecution demanded a 2-year prison sentence, which corresponds to the highest level on the sentencing guidelines, for Lee's statement that 'I did not know that public official during my time as mayor,'" expressing his criticism.

Jo added, "I met many subordinates during my time working at the Blue House, and even after becoming a politician. However, when I meet them again, they often remember me well, but I sometimes do not remember their names or faces." He explained, "This is not because I ignore or am indifferent to them, but due to an 'asymmetry of recognition' based on status." He continued, "In such cases, I apologize and ask for understanding. However, to use this as a pretext to strip the political life of the leader of the largest party and a leading presidential candidate is political repression."

Earlier, the prosecution demanded a 2-year prison sentence at the conclusion of Lee's trial for violating the Public Official Election Act, held on the 20th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Presiding Judge Han Seong-jin). In his final statement, Lee said, "Former President Kim Dae-jung was imprisoned for a long time with a life sentence as a traitor. I, too, was stabbed and was lucky to survive, but the prosecution fabricated the case and indicted me."

He added, "The democracy that has been built over a long time is now at risk of being destroyed due to such excessive abuse of power by the prosecution," and said, "I believe that the judiciary, the last bastion of human rights and democracy, will make a reasonable judgment based on objective facts and truth."