'Perjury Coaching Judicial Risk' Ji Saeng Lee Jae-myung... What Is the Next Move?

Lee Jae-myung Plans to Accelerate Livelihood Activities Including Meoksanism
Party Takes Strong Offensive Against Ruling Party with Special Prosecutor Law, Prosecutor Impeachment, and State Audit
Public Official Election Law Remains a Variable Challenge

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was pushed into crisis due to a guilty verdict under the Public Official Election Act, has been able to revive his political career after being acquitted in the perjury coaching trial. Lee is expected to continue his path as a leading presidential candidate by focusing on livelihood issues.

On the 26th, a representative from Lee’s side explained regarding his future plans after the trial, "Lee plans to strengthen his livelihood-related activities, so-called 'Meoksanism' (the idea that political priority should be given to issues related to making a living), just as before the trial." The representative added, "Since the party convention, Lee has advocated Meoksanism and holds the conviction that among various national issues, taking care of the livelihood economy is the most important. He plans to put political strife aside and focus on livelihood and economic activities."

In this regard, Lee immediately organized a livelihood-related group within the party on the same day and launched a Livelihood Roundtable to identify and resolve issues, planning to review agendas by sector. On the 27th, he plans to visit a high school in Seoul to hear on-site voices regarding free high school education. Ahead of the trial, Lee expanded his connections with the business community and individual investors, presenting more flexible positions on labor and regulations, seeking a moderate and pragmatic approach. He will also have lunch on the 28th with Lee Seok-yeon, a former head of the Legislative Office and a senior conservative figure.

While Lee focuses on livelihood issues, the Democratic Party leadership is expected to take on a role of leading confrontations against the ruling party. If President Yoon Seok-youl exercises his veto power, the Democratic Party plans to escalate its offensive by re-passing the special investigation law on Kim Geon-hee, conducting a national audit related to the death accident of Chae Sang-byeong, and impeaching prosecutors. This dual-track approach will be led by floor leader Park Chan-dae and Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok. At the floor strategy meeting on the same day, Park Chan-dae said, "The Democratic Party will fight the ruthless Yoon Seok-youl administration without any hesitation, trusting the people and history," and urged, "The People Power Party should stop threatening the judiciary and cooperate with the special investigation law on Mrs. Kim Geon-hee."

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

Immediately, the Democratic Party plans to form a national audit team within the regular session of the National Assembly, which ends on the 10th of next month, regarding the Chae Sang-byeong national audit. Kang Yoo-jung, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said after the floor strategy meeting, "We have requested the People Power Party to appoint members to the special audit committee," adding, "If they do not submit, we will request again and, if still not submitted, plan to approve it at the plenary session in early December."

The Democratic Party also plans to pass amendments to the standing special investigation law rules at the next plenary session. Additionally, they will proceed with impeachment procedures against prosecutors who dismissed charges or did not prosecute Mrs. Kim in connection with the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case.

Regarding the re-passage of the special investigation law on Mrs. Kim, the Democratic Party is undecided whether to handle it at the plenary session on the 28th or at a later session. There are conflicting opinions between those who want to wait and observe the internal situation of the People Power Party, which is showing signs of division due to controversies on the party member bulletin board, and those who insist on handling it according to principle.

However, the judicial risk issue for Lee remains unresolved. Lee currently faces five trials, but considering the pace of the trials and the election schedule, the biggest threat is the Public Official Election Act, which already includes a 10-year disqualification from candidacy. Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as the leader of the pro-Lee faction, said in an MBC radio interview about the guilty verdict under the Public Official Election Act, "I think we were overconfident," and added, "There is a considerable possibility that the verdict will be overturned."

Meanwhile, a constitutional review on the law regarding false information disclosure related to Lee’s guilty verdict under the Public Official Election Act has been raised. Regarding this, Park Gyun-taek, the Democratic Party’s legal committee chairman, said, "There has been no party-level discussion or detailed review by Lee or the legal committee," but added, "There are people making such claims, so we need to look into it," and "We have not conducted in-depth research at this time."