Lee Jae-myung "Difficult to Accept Conclusion... Will Appeal"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 15th that he would "appeal" the first trial sentence of one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Lee met with reporters immediately after the sentencing trial in the afternoon and said, "It is a conclusion that is absolutely difficult to accept even from the basic recognition of facts."

He added, "There are still two more trials in the real court, and the court of public opinion and history is eternal," adding, "This scene today will also become a scene in modern Korean history."

He also said, "If the people judge based on common sense and justice, they will be able to reach a conclusion."

On the same day, the 34th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Han Sung-jin) explained, "The will of the people was distorted by preventing voters from making the right choice during the election process."

If the sentence handed down on this day is confirmed by the Supreme Court, Lee will be stripped of his parliamentary seat and will be unable to run for election for the next five years.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun