Yoo Dong-gyu, Facing Lee Jae-myung in Court, Asks "Why Are You Glowering?"

Presiding Judge Steps in to Mediate: "Do Not Look at Each Other"
Lee's Side: "Unfair Insult... Request to Separate Arguments"

Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who appeared as a witness in the trial of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, shouted at Lee, saying "Don't glare at me," causing the trial to be temporarily suspended.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun) held a hearing on the 'Daejang-dong, Wirye, Seongnam FC, Baekhyeon-dong allegations' case on the 7th. On this day, cross-examination of former Director Yoo by the defense was conducted.

Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Yonhap News

During the questioning related to the Daejang-dong project bidding, former Director Yoo raised his voice toward Lee's side, saying, "Aren't you trying to pin this on me?" and "They are trying to cut off the tail and say, 'Yoo Dong-gyu, you did everything, and you and Kim Man-bae did everything in Daejang-dong,' and push it that way."

As former Director Yoo kept staring at former Leader Lee, the judge intervened, saying, "Are you two having a staring contest right now?" and "Please do not look at each other."

In response, former Director Yoo said, "I looked because he was glaring at me," and added, "I'm telling the truth as it is, so why glare at me?" He continued, "Most people would tremble at the mention of Lee Jae-myung and no one would not be scared, but I am not scared at all," and said, "You are ridiculous." Then, as former Director Yoo raised his voice with remarks such as "You are not even human," the judge declared a 15-minute recess.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is heading to the courtroom on the 7th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to attend the continuation of the first trial related to the 'Daejang-dong breach of trust and Seongnam FC bribery' case. Photo by Yonhap News

After the trial resumed, former Director Yoo targeted Lee again, saying, "One of the defendants is the person with the highest power in South Korea, and the other is his right-hand man," and "If they were ordinary people, would they dare to face this trial out of fear?"

The judge asked, "Please refrain from such remarks," and warned, "This trial might turn into a political issue." The judge also said that if the same problem recurs, measures such as installing partitions in the courtroom or using monitors to prevent eye contact between the defendants and former Director Yoo would be taken.

In response, Lee's side protested, saying, "We would rather have the defense separated and proceed without the defendant present," and "It is unfair to be subjected to unjust personal insults."