Ahead of Lee Jae-myung's Verdict, Full-Scale Pressure... "Trump Also Demanded Live Broadcast of Trial"

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The People Power Party has launched an all-out pressure campaign four days ahead of the first trial verdict on Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act. This move is interpreted as a strategy to halt internal conflicts and shift to an offensive against the opposition to seek a turnaround.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, urged at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 11th, "Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, boldly demanded last December to make his trial public due to high voter interest," adding, "Leader Lee should also respond to the ruling party's demand for live broadcasting of the verdict."

Some Democratic Party lawmakers, including Jeong Seong-ho, a leading figure of the pro-Lee faction, compared Lee’s Public Official Election Act violation charges to the judicial risks faced by President-elect Trump, claiming that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that "the choice of the American people cannot be taken away by such matters." In response, Leader Han stated that if they are to use Trump’s trial as an analogy, they should also follow the case where Trump demanded live broadcasting of his trial.

Yonhap News

Regarding the outdoor rally held by the Democratic Party on the 9th demanding a special investigation into First Lady Kim Geon-hee, Leader Han also criticized, "If they believe he is innocent, then it would be appropriate to hold a live broadcast protest of Lee Jae-myung’s trial." Floor leader Chu Kyung-ho urged, "Leader Lee should not shift the responsibility and burden onto the judiciary but should directly request live broadcasting from the court."

The People Power Party views this month as a crucial turning point in Lee’s political career and plans to increase pressure by uniting the pro-Yoon and pro-Han factions. They aim to shift the political atmosphere to a judgment on Lee, counter the demand for a special investigation into First Lady Kim, and calculate to raise the approval ratings of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the People Power Party. Following Joo Jin-woo, the party’s legal advisory committee chairman, who submitted a 'Request for Live Broadcast of Lee’s First Trial Verdict' to the Seoul Central District Court on the 4th, Jin Jong-oh also began a solo protest in front of the Seoul Central District Court on the same day. Leader Han plans to convene an emergency meeting with the party leadership and judiciary committee members on the 12th to respond to the first trial verdict against Lee.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min