Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the trial on the so-called 'Daejang-dong, Baekhyeon-dong, Wirye New Town development corruption and Seongnam FC case' on the 17th but left midway. He left to attend the National Assembly plenary session in the afternoon, raising concerns about further trial delays.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the 64th trial on the Daejang-dong breach of trust and Seongnam FC bribery allegations held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
According to the legal community on the 17th, during the trial held in the Criminal Division 33 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun) that morning, Lee's defense attorney stated that Lee would not attend the afternoon trial due to his attendance at the National Assembly plenary session. The plenary session, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. that day, was set to vote on the 'Special Investigation Law on Treason,' among other items.
During the hearing, Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of development at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, appeared as a witness. The court also stated, "In the afternoon, we will proceed with witness examination outside the scheduled date," and on the premise of continuing the trial in the afternoon, permitted Lee's absence from the afternoon session. However, in the afternoon trial, Yoo changed his position, saying, "Testifying without the defendant present would be of little significance," and the trial was promptly adjourned immediately after resuming.
Earlier, on his way to the trial, Lee did not respond to reporters' questions regarding President Yoon Seok-youl's dismissal of the arrest warrant review.
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