The Democratic Party of Korea is grappling with how to respond to judicial risks ahead of the first trial verdict for Representative Lee Jae-myung next month. While externally confident in Lee's innocence based on the unfairness of the prosecution's fabricated investigation, internally there are calls to consider the potential impact within the party if a guilty verdict is delivered.
On the 30th of last month, the prosecution requested a 2-year prison sentence for Lee on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and a 3-year prison sentence on charges of witness tampering. The first trial verdicts are scheduled for the 15th and 25th of next month, respectively.
The Democratic Party is on high alert over the possibility of a guilty verdict in the first trial due to concerns that if the 'judicial risk' visibly escalates, public opinion could turn unfavorable toward Lee. The party believes that if the trials continue through the second trial and final judgment, acquittal is likely. However, if Lee is found guilty in the first trial, it could shake not only his presidential ambitions but also his leadership within the party. In particular, a guilty verdict on witness tampering carries a high likelihood of an actual prison sentence, such as probation. In that case, Lee would lose his parliamentary seat and be disqualified from running for office.
Jeon Hyun-hee, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, recently expressed confidence in Lee's innocence but also stated, "We must prepare for and respond to the possibility of a guilty verdict." This reflects the judgment that the judicial risk surrounding Lee could spread differently than the party leadership expects.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the first trial sentencing hearing on charges of subornation of perjury held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 30th, responding to questions from the press. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
Some in the political sphere predict that if Lee is found guilty in the first trial, there could even be moves to impeach the judge. This could create a narrative that political judges, following political prosecutors, are suppressing the opposition party. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, "If a guilty verdict is delivered in the first trial, significant backlash is expected within the Democratic Party," adding, "This is because public opinion could rapidly shift to an unfavorable atmosphere toward Lee."
Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, raised his voice at the Supreme Council meeting that day, saying, "While the prosecution has indiscriminately conducted investigations and prosecutions, including hundreds of search warrants against opposition party leaders and politicians, there has been no news of proper investigations or even search warrants against Mrs. Kim. Even with suspicions of stock manipulation, interference in drug investigations, receiving luxury bags, or highway privilege allegations, these are all being dismissed as if nothing happened."
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