"Judicial Murder"... Democratic Party Leadership Launches Crossfire on Judiciary Over Lee Jae-myung's First Trial Verdict

Park Chan-dae "The worst precedent that will remain a stain in the history of the judiciary"
Clarifies it is not an official party position

The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea showed a heated reaction to the first trial verdict on Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, regarding charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. The leadership strongly criticized the judiciary, labeling the first trial verdict as "judicial murder."

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

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 18th, "No citizen will sympathize with this political verdict that severely damages judicial justice," adding, "The first trial court's ruling against Leader Lee is a clear case of judicial murder." He also emphasized, "This verdict will remain as the worst precedent and a stain in the history of the judiciary," and "The first trial verdict, which does not align with basic facts and legal principles, will surely be corrected in the second trial." Leader Lee was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation on the 15th in the first trial for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Supreme Council members also expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict against Leader Lee. Kim Min-seok, senior Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said, "Which citizen would accept a prison sentence for a failed presidential candidate?" and "Who would call the flimsy legal reasoning, which accepted the prosecution's fabricated indictment, rational rather than emotional?" Jeon Hyun-hee, another Supreme Council member, even prepared a PPT to refute the court's logic. She pointed out, "This case was forcibly prosecuted by the Yoon Geon-hee (President Yoon Seok-youl and First Lady Kim Geon-hee) regime, which must kill Leader Lee to survive, acting as one with the prosecution," calling it "political prosecution mobilization and judicial annihilation."

There were also strong expressions directed at the current administration. Song Soon-ho, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said, "The Presidential Office falsely explained that President Yoon picked up golf clubs for the first time in eight years to prepare for a round with then U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. In reality, President Yoon's round was only eight days," adding, "I define the Presidential Office's explanation, which cannot distinguish between eight years and eight days, as nonsense."

Impeachment and resignation were directly mentioned as well. Council member Song said, "We can no longer entrust the people's authority to President Yoon," and "Resignation is the best decision President Yoon can make for the people. If resignation is not possible, we will consider all possible measures, including impeachment and constitutional amendments to shorten the term." Joo Cheol-hyun, another Supreme Council member, emphasized, "There are more than enough reasons for President Yoon to step down." Senior Council member Kim also announced plans to prepare an impeachment motion against Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

However, the Democratic Party drew a line, stating that these were personal opinions of individual leadership members and not the party's official stance. Hwang Jeong-ah, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Each Supreme Council member speaks with personal responsibility," and "The party does not disrespect the judiciary's verdict. Since the second and third trials remain, we will respond faithfully."