Democratic Party Cheers Lee Jae-myung's Acquittal on Perjury Coaching Charge: "A Completely Obvious Conclusion"

The Democratic Party of Korea welcomed the verdict in which Representative Lee Jae-myung was acquitted in the first trial related to allegations of suborning perjury.

After finishing the trial and returning to the National Assembly, Representative Lee responded to reporters' questions about his feelings by saying, "Rather than a special feeling, isn't it just the natural course of justice?"

Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted Representative Lee, who was indicted without detention on charges of suborning perjury, and sentenced Kim Jin-sung, a former secretary to the late Kim Byung-ryang, former mayor of Seongnam City and the principal accused of suborning 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 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 conclude that Lee Jae-myung had the intent to instruct Kim Jin-sung to commit perjury, that is, the intent to suborn."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is entering the National Assembly after the first trial sentencing hearing on perjury instruction charges on the 25th. Lee was acquitted in the first trial of the perjury instruction charges on the same day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Sung-ho expressed gratitude through social media (SNS), saying, "I thank the court for strictly examining the evidence according to law and principles and revealing the truth with a just verdict," and added, "The independence of the judiciary is a core value of democracy and must be absolutely guaranteed. The independence of trials and judges must also be respected."

Jeon Hyun-hee, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, called it "the natural course of justice" and said, "It is a very obvious conclusion." Jin Sung-jun, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee Chair, congratulated Representative Lee, who had suffered from the prosecution's groundless indictment, and said, "I sincerely hope that the remaining trials will clearly distinguish right from wrong and that the prosecution's reckless investigation and political oppression by the regime will be severely punished."

Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae said, "It brings tears to my eyes," and added, "Even if thunder and lightning strike, the sky will not collapse."