Democratic Party: "First Trial Court for Lee Jae-myung Did Not Consider Key Evidence... Clear Misjudgment"

The Democratic Party criticized the first trial court that ruled on Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader's violation of the Public Official Election Act, for failing to consider important evidence, calling it a clear misjudgment.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 1st Expanded Executive Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The Democratic Party's Prosecution Dictatorship Countermeasure Committee (Prosecution Countermeasure Committee) held a press conference on the 22nd at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "It has been confirmed that the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Chief Judge Han Seong-jin) did not consider important evidence and facts in the first trial of Leader Lee's violation of the Public Official Election Act," and added, "Documents from a meeting of the Prime Minister's Office under the Park Geun-hye administration, which proved the background of Lee's statement at the 2021 National Assembly audit that he was pressured by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to address dereliction of duty, were discovered."

According to media reports on the day, the Park administration's Office for Government Policy Coordination emphasized the implementation status of national tasks and policy issues through documents from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, in March 2013, it is known that the analysis of causes for poor performance led to mentions of improvements and personnel accountability. In 2015, inspection guidelines were strengthened, emphasizing status checks and measures when national performance was hindered.

The Prosecution Countermeasure Committee pointed out, "The court ignored the evidence presented by Leader Lee and his lawyers and judged, based only on some parts favorable to the prosecution, that it could not be considered as intimidation," calling it "a clear misjudgment that disregards objective evidence." They continued, "Investigations and prosecutions that predetermine guilt and force-fit the facts are literally hunting. The prosecution shamelessly seized documents from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport but did not attach them to the evidence records. This criminal behavior suggests that the prosecution believes it can arbitrarily destroy the constitutional order, the fundamental principle of the rule of law, to eliminate opponents they want to harm."

The Prosecution Countermeasure Committee added, "If the prosecution targets and prosecutes without the courts filtering, which politician can survive? We hope the political prosecution immediately stops this ruthless hunting," and "We ask the courts to correct the erroneous judgment through fair and wise rulings in future trials."

Meanwhile, Leader Lee urged restraint in criticism of the judiciary both inside and outside the party. At the first expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, he said, "I trust the judiciary of the Republic of Korea, which has upheld democracy and human rights according to the Constitution," and added, "It is not desirable to indiscriminately criticize the entire judiciary beyond legitimate expression of opinion." He also expressed, "I convey gratitude and respect to the majority of judges and the judiciary who are doing their best to protect human rights and democracy."