'Something Bigger Is Coming'... Lee Jae-myung Extremely Tense for Perjury Coaching First Trial on the 25th

Major Perjury Coaching Case in Legal Circles... Imprisonment and Prison Sentences Expected
Democrats Focus on Passing Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law... Strengthening Unified Front

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was sentenced to prison on the 15th for election law violations, contrary to expectations. Meanwhile, the first trial verdict for the second 'judicial risk' case involving perjury inducement is just a week away. Some predict that the sentence for the perjury inducement trial will be harsher than that for the election law violation, putting the Democratic Party leadership on high alert as they consider response strategies.

According to political and legal circles on the 18th, the Seoul Central District Court will hold the sentencing hearing for Lee's perjury inducement case on the afternoon of the 25th. Previously, the prosecution demanded a heavier sentence of three years in prison compared to the election law case. The perjury inducement charge alleges that Lee instructed Kim Mo, the former secretary to the late Kim Byung-ryang, former mayor of Seongnam, to give false testimony in 2018. The case expanded after Kim Mo confessed to committing perjury at Lee's request.

Inside and outside the legal community, it is widely believed that if Lee is found guilty of perjury inducement, he is likely to receive either a prison sentence or a suspended sentence with imprisonment. According to the prosecution, 95% of perjury inducement offenders in the past six years have been sentenced to either actual imprisonment or suspended imprisonment, reflecting the serious view taken of this offense.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is wearing a stern expression at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

If Lee is found guilty in this trial as well, it is interpreted that the judicial risk phase will intensify in addition to the appeal trial for the election law violation. If a sentence of imprisonment or higher is confirmed in this case, Lee will lose his seat as a member of the National Assembly. Whether the sentencing for the perjury inducement case will be broadcast live is also a variable. If broadcast live, it could directly affect the trial. The decision on live broadcast is expected to be made this week.

The Democratic Party is focusing all efforts on forming a united front with opposition parties while legally asserting Lee's innocence immediately after the verdict. Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as the 'pro-Lee faction leader,' emphasized on the radio that day, "If the appeal trial judges make their judgment based on principles, I believe the first trial verdict can be overturned."

The party leadership plans to counter with the passage of the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law. At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Lee stated, "This (Kim Geon-hee) special prosecutor law must be passed. Although President Yoon is expected to exercise his veto power, an overwhelming majority of the public wants the special prosecutor."