Democratic Party on Ban of Live Broadcast for Lee Jae-myung's Trial: "Fair Response"

"Live Broadcast Request, Intent to Embarrass"

The Democratic Party of Korea welcomed the court's decision to block the live broadcast of the first trial of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, calling it a "fair response."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Jeon Hyun-hee, a Democratic Party law and justice special committee (Judicial Special Committee) chairperson, said at a meeting with non-incumbent regional committee chairpersons of the Judicial Special Committee held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 13th, "The ruling party People Power Party's demand for live broadcasting of Lee’s trial is an intimidation of the judiciary, a show of force, and a threat using power," adding, "The court responded fairly without wavering."

She also said, "The People Power Party's claim is absurd because Lee is a victim of political oppression by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and added, "Their intention is to embarrass him by showing the defendant in the courtroom."

Another Democratic Party committee, the Countermeasure Committee Against Prosecutorial Dictatorship (Prosecutorial Countermeasure Committee), also expressed support for the court's decision. Lee Geon-tae, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said at the Prosecutorial Countermeasure Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "It is a natural outcome that the court decided not to live broadcast Lee’s trial," and pointed out, "The request for live broadcasting reveals the intention to turn the trial into a political propaganda stage." He continued, "They politicized the prosecution and now are trying to politicize the trial as well, which is a violation of the constitution," emphasizing, "The most effective way to protect citizens' rights is for the court to declare a stop to the prosecution."

They defended Lee’s innocence. Han Jun-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker and chairperson of the Prosecutorial Countermeasure Committee, said, "The first trial verdict on Lee’s charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and instructing perjury, which are filled with distortions, is approaching," adding, "The more you look at these two cases, the clearer it becomes that the prosecution is groundless." He also explained, "This is a scheme by the political prosecution of the Yoon administration solely to suppress the opposition party leader," and said, "If it were not for Lee, the indictment would not have even been made."

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Presiding Judge Han Sung-jin) will deliver the first trial verdict on the 15th for Lee, who is charged with violating the Public Official Election Act. The People Power Party demanded live broadcasting of the trial to guarantee the public’s right to know and the public interest, but the court stated, "Considering the relevant legal interests comprehensively, filming and live broadcasting will not be conducted."