Minjoo, Agitated by 'Lee Jae-myung Prison Sentence'... "A Political Verdict to Eliminate a Rival"

"Unite More Strongly for a Powerful Struggle to Change the Regime"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial of the public official election law violation case, prompting an intense reaction within the Democratic Party. Within the party, a not guilty verdict or a fine of less than 1 million won that would not affect political activities was expected, but the court's judgment differed from these expectations. If this is confirmed through the third trial, it will result in the loss of his parliamentary seat, making him ineligible to run in various elections, including the presidential election, for 10 years.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Cho Seung-rae, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, held a briefing after a closed supreme council meeting attended by Lee, stating, "Today's first trial verdict is a clear political judgment," and criticized, "The court responded with a verdict to the prosecution's attempt to kill the presidential candidate of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and eliminate political opponents initiated by the prosecution." He continued, "The prosecutor fabricated, manipulated, and distorted words that Lee did not even say and indicted him, and the court accepted this uncritically and made a verdict, so it cannot be a proper judgment," adding, "We will reveal the truth and restore judicial justice."

According to Chief Spokesperson Cho, Lee said at the closed supreme council meeting, "It is difficult to accept the trial result," and expressed his intention to "work steadfastly as the party leader regardless." Lee plans to attend the Democratic Party's outdoor rally on the 16th titled 'Condemn Kim Geon-hee and Yoon Seok-yeol's State Corruption and Demand a Special Prosecutor' as scheduled.

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 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

Democratic Party lawmakers also posted a series of messages on Facebook expressing anger toward the prosecution and judiciary immediately after the court's sentence against Lee. Lawmaker Kim Yong-min said, "I express regret over the absurd trial result. I cannot contain my devastation," and added, "The prosecution and the court must be prepared for the people's judgment along with the Yoon Seok-yeol administration." Lawmaker Kim Byung-gi wrote, "This is a clear political oppression and an attempt to kill the opposition party using the judiciary."

Some argue that this sentence should serve as a catalyst to consolidate critical public opinion against the current administration and accelerate 'impeachment.' A Democratic Party lawmaker belonging to the 'Yoon Seok-yeol Impeachment Parliamentary Alliance,' launched on the 13th, said, "The public has seen that the judiciary is lenient toward Mrs. Kim but harsh toward Lee and the Democratic Party," and added, "Today's verdict likely made people feel that they must take further action."