On the 25th, Lee Jae-myung's 'Perjury Coaching' Sentencing Also Not Broadcast Live... Court Cites "Consideration of Legal Interests" (Update)

The court decided on the 21st not to broadcast live the first trial sentencing of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on charges of perjury instruction scheduled for the 25th.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

According to the legal community on the 21st, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Chief Judge Kim Dong-hyun), which is handling Lee's case, decided not to broadcast the sentencing trial live. The court stated, "Considering the related legal interests and the progress of related cases, we have decided not to conduct filming or live broadcasting of the sentencing announcement."

The court also did not broadcast live the first trial sentencing on charges of violation of the Public Official Election Act against Lee on the 15th.

Previously, figures from the ruling party, including Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, had argued that the sentencing trial of Lee should be broadcast live. The People Power Party's Legal Advisory Committee even submitted a petition to the court on the 20th requesting live coverage of the sentencing.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party opposed the live broadcast, calling it "an act of humiliation and a violation of human rights."