Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over 'Lee Jae-myung Trial' at Court Audit... "Swiftly" VS "Fairly"

Ruling Party Candidate Also Demands Live Broadcast of First Trial

Kang Hye-kyung (far left), who raised allegations of Kim Geon-hee's interference in candidate selection, is appearing as a witness at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held on the 21st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Seoul High Court and others held on the 22nd, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in sharp exchanges over the trial of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. The People Power Party urged the heads of each court to expedite the trial, claiming that Lee's trial was being delayed, while the Democratic Party questioned the fairness of the judiciary and demanded reassignment of the case.

On that day, Representative Song Seok-jun referred to Lee's first trial sessions scheduled for November 15 and 25, saying, "There is a troubling atmosphere in our society ahead of the solemn verdict. The rumor of martial law even came from the mouth of the opposition leader," adding, "With impeachment of the investigating prosecutors and rampant special investigation laws, the public is becoming confused."

He then emphasized to Kim Jeong-jung, Chief Judge of the Seoul Central District Court, "The trial should not be dragged out. A swift and strict verdict is needed to restore public sentiment and establish judicial justice."

Representative Kwak Gyu-taek of the People Power Party also stressed, "As the trial is delayed, the opposition is proposing laws such as 'distortion of law' to pressure investigative agencies. The trials of major politicians should be concluded more promptly."

In response, the Democratic Party pointed out that the Suwon District Court rejected Lee's request for reassignment of the trial panel related to the Ssangyong North Korea remittance case and demanded a guarantee of a 'fair trial.'

Democratic Party Representative Jeon Hyun-hee argued, "In the trial of former Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young, the panel showed unfavorable presumption by recognizing the North Korea remittance as Lee Jae-myung's cost for visiting North Korea," criticizing that this could undermine fairness in future trials.

Fellow party member Park Gyun-taek also stressed the need for reassignment of the trial panel, saying, "It is problematic that the panel which showed a guilty presumption in the case of former Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young is again handling Lee Jae-myung's case."

Amid these exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties, Kim Jeong-jung, Chief Judge of the Seoul Central District Court, commented on Lee's criminal case sentencing, saying, "I hope the parties involved, stakeholders, and the public trust and respect the role of the court," adding, "The presiding panel will make a fair judgment based on evidence and law, without being influenced by power or public opinion."

Meanwhile, Representative Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party proposed broadcasting Lee's first trial live. He argued, "There is precedent for publicly broadcasting the trials of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. Broadcasting Lee Jae-myung's trial live is appropriate in terms of public interest and the public's right to know."

In response, Democratic Party Representative Park Gyun-taek expressed opposition to a public trial, stating, "The trials of former presidents were public because they involved state manipulation and corruption cases, whereas Lee Jae-myung is a victim of political oppression."