Lee Jae-myung Faces 'Brake' on Presidential Race... "Hard to Accept... Will Appeal" (Comprehensive 2)

Lee sentenced to 1 year in prison and 2 years probation
Concerns over reduced momentum for Yoon Seok-yeol impeachment
Democratic Party calls it "clear political oppression"
People Power Party urges "acceptance and apology"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, faced a setback in his presidential campaign on the 15th after being sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence in the first trial for violating the Public Official Election Act.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Chief Judge Han Sung-jin) sentenced Lee to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence on the same day. The court stated, "The culpability and crime are quite serious," adding, "While freedom of expression must be recognized during the election process, it is also necessary to consider that the dissemination of false information can distort the will of the people."

Under the Public Official Election Act, a fine of 1 million won or more results in a five-year restriction on eligibility for election, and in the case of a prison sentence like Lee's, the restriction period is 10 years. If this ruling is finalized by the Supreme Court, Lee will lose his parliamentary seat and be barred from running in elections for 10 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 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. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Lee sentenced to 1 year in prison with 2 years suspended... Concerns over reduced momentum for Yoon's impeachment

After the trial, Lee left the courthouse and told reporters, "I will appeal." He said, "This moment will become a scene in modern Korean history," adding, "There are still two more trials ahead in the real courts, and the courts of public opinion and history are eternal." When asked how he felt about the verdict, Lee did not respond and left with a stern expression.

The opposition is expected to see a decrease in momentum for pushing President Yoon Seok-youl's impeachment following this ruling. Even though the final decision at the Supreme Court remains, it is anticipated that Lee's active role at the forefront of the 'Lee Jae-myung 2.0 system' will face significant restrictions. Given the recognition of the moral shortcomings of the leader of the main opposition party, it is judged that focusing on various allegations surrounding Kim Keon-hee will be difficult. The ruling party is likely to emphasize the 'Lee Jae-myung criminal' frame.

The ruling is also likely to impact the Democratic Party's finances. If fined over 1 million won, the Democratic Party must return 43.4 billion won in election expenses reimbursed by the National Election Commission from the last presidential election. Internally, the resumption of activities by the non-Lee faction (Bi-Lee-Pyeong) is also expected. 'Opposition potential candidate' Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, has recently raised his voice mentioning President Yoon's resignation, and it is interpreted that non-Lee factions such as former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo may begin reorganizing democratic forces.

On the 15th, the day of the first trial sentencing hearing for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, supporters of Lee Jae-myung gathered in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, holding a rally demanding the dismantling of the political prosecution and declaring Lee Jae-myung's innocence. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Democratic lawmakers 'in shock'... "Clear political oppression"

Democratic Party colleagues expressed anger over the trial result, calling it "clear political oppression." Some lawmakers revealed their troubled feelings while contemplating future responses.

Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee, wrote on his SNS, "I received the angry bad news on the way to the court and turned the car around," adding, "Sometimes history seems to move backward, but the history of truth has always advanced step by step. We will ultimately win!"

Kim Byung-gi, deputy head of the party's 'Myeong Tae-gyun Gate Investigation Team,' condemned the ruling as "clear political oppression and an attempt to kill the opposition using the judiciary," criticizing the Yoon Seok-youl administration for "ignoring people's livelihood and focusing solely on oppressing the opposition." Lee Soo-jin briefly stated, "The judiciary of the Republic of Korea is dead," while Kim Yong-min expressed regret over the "absurd trial result," explaining, "The prosecution fabricated statements that Lee Jae-myung did not make and, when that failed, even changed the indictment. However, the court accepted the prosecution's claims."

They also emphasized the need to prepare for the remaining trials. Park Ji-won said, "This is the result of the first trial. The judiciary is a three-tier system under the constitution. We must remain composed," adding, "Trump also survived the Supreme Court's final trial and became president. Like yesterday and today, we will continue to work hard tomorrow for the Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor, democracy, the people's economy, and improving inter-Korean relations." Kang Deuk-gu expressed his troubled feelings, saying, "Lee Jae-myung, sentenced to 1 year in prison with 2 years suspended. How should we accept this..."

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

People Power Party: "Humbly accept and apologize"

On the other hand, the People Power Party urged Lee to "humbly accept and apologize" regarding the first trial ruling.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, posted on his Facebook, "Despite intimidation and powerless protests against judges, I respect and honor the judiciary's decision based on the law," adding, "The People Power Party will stand with the people to uphold the judiciary's independence and fairness." He also emphasized, "The People Power Party will change and reform further, including deciding yesterday to push for a special inspector who was neglected during the five years of the Democratic Party government."

Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly in the afternoon, "No matter how much the opposition builds layers of bulletproof walls with power, the river of justice cannot be stopped," urging, "Lee and the Democratic Party should stop the armed protests and inciting politics for innocence and bulletproofing, and apologize now for their cowardly lies."

He also expressed respect for the judiciary, saying, "I honor the judiciary's decision. It showed that justice is alive in the Republic of Korea," and requested, "The Public Official Election Act trial is supposed to conclude the second trial within three months after the first trial's sentencing. Since the first trial ruling has been delayed for a long time, the judiciary should promptly wrap up the trial."

Kwok Kyu-taek, chief spokesperson, criticized, "Our people have had to watch the absurd acts committed by the major opposition party over the past two years to protect their leader from prosecution," adding, "They shamelessly disrupted the rule of law and constitutional order in Korea for one person alone, including blatant trial delays, judicial obstruction, retaliatory and bulletproof impeachment of judges and prosecutors, attempts to introduce law distortion crimes, and submission of innocence petitions."

People Power Party lawmakers individually welcomed the trial result and demanded Lee's apology. Kwon Seong-dong urged on Facebook, "The Democratic Party must return 43.4 billion won in presidential election reimbursement costs due to Lee Jae-myung's disqualification." Bae Hyun-jin also praised the court on Facebook, saying, "In these times when politics and judicial justice are mixed, I applaud today's courageous judgment that showed justice is alive in Korea despite all the pressure from Lee Jae-myung's camp," expressing respect for the court.

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Opposition divided in reaction... "Judicial risk begins" vs. "Harsh ruling"

The opposition is divided over Lee's first trial result. The Reform New Party raised its voice, saying, "Lee Jae-myung's judicial risk is just beginning."

Kim Sung-yeol, chief spokesperson of the Reform New Party, commented shortly after the first trial ruling, "I salute the Korean judiciary for delivering a conscientious ruling despite all pressures and judicial obstruction," adding, "This ruling confirms the judiciary's independence and proves that justice still lives in Korea."

He continued, "Although the sentence is somewhat heavier than expected, the dissemination of false information aimed at winning elections is a serious crime threatening the foundation of democracy, and since Lee Jae-myung has a history of similar offenses, I respect the court's judgment," emphasizing, "Now Lee and the Democratic Party must apologize to the people and humbly accept the court's decision," and reiterated, "Lee's judicial risk is just beginning."

The New Future Democratic Party also commented, "This ruling clearly establishes that the candidate in the presidential election deceived the people with false statements, corrupting the election," with senior spokesperson Kim Yeon-wook briefing, "Lee Jae-myung's sentencing is a judgment of justice punishing lies, consistent with the common sense of the people," adding, "This ruling goes beyond recognizing individual guilt and provides an important opportunity to correct democracy and presidential election disruption."

On the other hand, the Innovation Party evaluated the trial result as "a harsh ruling only for the opposition leader." Kim Bo-hyup, chief spokesperson of the Innovation Party, expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Even if we concede a hundred times that Lee's statements were false, it is questionable whether the statements were serious enough to end the political life of the leader of the Democratic Party, the largest party in the 22nd National Assembly, and the most likely presidential candidate." He warned, "We will not accept the judiciary's decision on a case prosecuted by the Yoon Seok-youl prosecution dictatorship to eliminate political competitors as reasonable."

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is holding a press conference on his 100th day in office at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Lee faces tense first trial sentencing on perjury coaching on the 25th

Following the Public Official Election Act trial, Lee is scheduled for the first trial sentencing on the perjury coaching case on the 25th. Some predict that the sentence for the perjury coaching case could be heavier. Previously, the prosecution sought a three-year prison sentence for this case.

Lee's future has become difficult to predict. Other trials, including allegations of corruption in the Daejang-dong development and illegal remittances to North Korea, are also ongoing at the first trial level. Concerns are growing that his position as a presidential candidate may become unstable.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act, is 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. Photo by Jo Yong-jun