Handonghun "Will Uphold Judicial Independence and Commitment to Fairness"
Chukyungho "Democratic Party Must Stop Agitative Politics"
On the 15th, the People Power Party urged Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspension of execution in the first trial for violating the Public Official Election Act, to "humbly accept the verdict and apologize."
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, posted on his Facebook that day, "Despite intimidation and powerless protests against the judges, we respect and pay tribute to the judiciary's decision based on the law," adding, "The People Power Party will uphold the judiciary's independence and fairness together with the people."
Han also emphasized, "Yesterday, the People Power Party decided to push for a special inspector who was neglected during the five years of the Democratic Party administration, and we will continue to change and reform."
Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, met with reporters at the National Assembly that afternoon and said, "No matter how much the opposition builds layers of bulletproof walls with power, the river of justice cannot be stopped," urging, "Leader Lee and the Democratic Party should stop the powerless protests and inciting politics aimed at innocence and protection, and apologize now for their cowardly lies."
He continued, "And quietly observe the perjury coaching trial on the 25th. That is the minimum courtesy to the people," directly addressing the Democratic Party and opposition's announcement of weekend outdoor rallies. He also stressed, "Remember the old saying that a house built on virtue will surely have happiness, and a house built on evil will surely have sin."
Regarding the court, he said, "We pay tribute to the judiciary's decision. It showed that justice is alive in the Republic of Korea," and urged, "The Public Official Election Act trial is supposed to be finalized with a second trial verdict within three months after the first trial sentencing. Since the first trial verdict has been delayed for a long time, the judiciary should promptly conclude the trial."
Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Chief spokesperson Kwak Kyu-taek commented, "Our people have had to witness the irrational acts committed by the major opposition party over the past two years to protect their leader from prosecution," criticizing, "They shamelessly trampled on the rule of law and constitutional order in Korea solely for one person, including blatant trial delays and judicial obstruction, impeachment motions against judges and prosecutors for retaliation and protection, attempts to introduce the crime of legal distortion, and submission of petitions for acquittal." He added, "However, no matter how much they build protective shields and shake the judiciary, they could not undermine the eternal 'truth' that the guilty must be punished," demanding, "Leader Lee should humbly accept today's result and sincerely apologize to the people."
Senior floor spokesperson Shin Dong-wook also issued a statement saying, "Justice will prevail," pointing out, "Leader Lee, who lied saying he did not know the late Kim Moon-gi, head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, and claimed he was threatened by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has been sentenced." He said, "This trial was based solely on evidence and legal principles," adding, "Therefore, personal attacks on the court and refusal to accept the verdict should not and cannot happen." Especially addressing Leader Lee, he urged, "Reflect on your wrongdoing of mocking the late Kim Moon-gi and his bereaved family by saying 'I don't remember' and 'It's disgraceful,' kneel before Kim's portrait, and apologize," and called on him to "also take responsibility for the trampled honor of officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seongnam City."
Members of the People Power Party individually welcomed the trial result and demanded an apology from Leader Lee. Assemblyman Kwon Seong-dong urged on Facebook, "Due to Leader Lee Jae-myung's disqualification sentence, the Democratic Party must return 43.4 billion won spent on the presidential election," and regarding Lee's statement right after the trial that "the court of public opinion and history is eternal," he said, "Public opinion and history are not a refuge for criminals," and warned, "Leader Lee will be remembered as a politician who tried to cover up sins with power but ultimately fell."
Assemblywoman Bae Hyun-jin also posted on Facebook, "In these days when politics and judicial justice are mixed, I applaud today's courageous judgment that showed justice is alive in the Republic of Korea despite all the pressure from Lee Jae-myung's camp," paying tribute to the court.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Presiding Judge Han Seong-jin) sentenced Leader Lee, who was indicted without detention for violating the Public Official Election Act, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension of execution that day. If this ruling is confirmed by the Supreme Court, Leader Lee will lose his parliamentary seat and will be barred from running in the next presidential election.
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act, is seen leaving the courtroom after attending the first trial sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 15th, while listening to questions from the press. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
