Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said on the 25th that he "respects" the acquittal of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, in the first trial related to the charge of subornation of perjury. However, Han also urged the Democratic Party to respect the guilty verdict Lee received related to the violation of the Public Official Election Act.
Through social media (SNS) on the same day, Han said, "It is difficult to accept the first trial's acquittal judgment on subornation of perjury, where only the person who committed perjury is guilty and the person who suborned perjury is acquitted," but added, "Just as I respected the prison sentence guilty verdict on November 15, I also respect today's ruling." He continued, "I hope the Democratic Party also respects the prison sentence guilty verdict from November 15."
Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is answering reporters' questions after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
He said, "All the more, the People Power Party will focus more on the people's livelihood," and added, "We will clear out old practices and practice change and reform."
Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted Lee, who was indicted without detention on charges of subornation of perjury, and sentenced Kim Jin-sung, a former secretary to the late Kim Byung-ryang, former mayor of Seongnam City and the principal offender of subornation of perjury, to a fine of 5 million won. The court explained, "At the time Lee Jae-myung spoke with Kim Jin-sung, it was not yet decided whether Kim Jin-sung would testify or what specific content he would testify to," and added, "Based solely on the evidence submitted by the prosecution, it is insufficient to find that Lee Jae-myung had the intent to induce Kim Jin-sung to commit perjury, that is, the intent to suborn."
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