'Daebuk Remittance Case' Lee Jae-myung Trial Court "Does Not Consider Live Streaming the Trial"

The court rejected the request from a civic group to live broadcast the trial of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the 'Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case.'

The Criminal Division 11 of Suwon District Court (Chief Judge Shin Jin-woo) held the third pretrial hearing on the 12th for Lee, who is charged with violating the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, stating, "The civic group's request for live broadcasting of the trial does not meet the requirements."

Earlier, Min Kyung-woo, executive director of the civic group Gil, requested live broadcasting of the verdict to uphold the public's right to know. Executive Director Min submitted materials from the 'Lee Jae-myung Trial Live Broadcast Petition Campaign' along with signatures from about 13,000 citizens.

However, the court explained, "According to Supreme Court regulations, live broadcasting is allowed during the verdict announcement or before the trial or arguments, but since this is a preparatory procedure, live broadcasting is not very meaningful at this stage. The trial will soon proceed, so there is no basis for live broadcasting, and it will not be considered separately."

Furthermore, the court pointed out, "(Due to the defense counsel's review and copying of evidence records) the pretrial procedure is being excessively delayed," adding, "This is the first time we have seen such a delay."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min