Woo Sang-ho on Lee Jae-myung Verdict: "Judge's Emotional Involvement... I've Never Seen a Case Like This"

"Prison Sentence Involves Emotional Bias... A Fine Would Suffice"
"I Also Got a Fine Just for Saying 'Please Take Care of Me'"
"Scream Movement? People Will Think You're Crazy"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho strongly criticized the suspended prison sentence given to Representative Lee Jae-myung.

On the 18th, Woo appeared on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Match' and said, "To get straight to the point, this is a judgment influenced by emotions." He continued, "Regardless of the judge's reasoning for the guilty or not guilty verdict, if the goal was to strip Lee of his position, a fine of over 1 million won would have sufficed," adding, "But handing down a prison sentence is emotional."

He also said, "I have two prior convictions myself. When it comes to elections, even minor mistakes are dealt with strictly," recalling, "I was fined 700,000 won for violating election laws because I said 'Please take care of me,' which was considered pre-election campaigning." Woo was previously prosecuted and fined 700,000 won for pre-election campaigning ahead of the 17th National Assembly general election. He added, "Many people have lost their positions over false information charges, and many have been acquitted as well," and said, "After analyzing over 100 cases, this is the first time I've seen a prison sentence given in such a case." Furthermore, he said, "This feels excessive. Judges should not let emotions influence their rulings," and expressed hope that "there might be an acquittal in the second trial."

He also mentioned the issue of having to return 43.4 billion won in election expenses reimbursed by the Election Commission if the Supreme Court upholds the guilty verdict. Woo said, "The Democratic Party will be completely ruined. Even selling buildings and fundraising will make it difficult to raise money," and questioned, "This ruling not only ruins Lee personally but also the Democratic Party. Is it acceptable to issue such a severe judgment on such a controversial matter?" Regarding the prospect that the anti-Lee faction might start to move, he said, "The party leader and a leading presidential candidate is going through such difficulties, so if anyone runs around looking out only for their own interests, people will say, 'Are you out of your mind?'" and predicted, "If that happens, the damage will be great."

Earlier, on the 15th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Chief Judge Han Sung-jin) sentenced Lee, who was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension.