Sentencing Trial Scheduled for Afternoon: Prosecution's Final Opinion and Sentencing Recommendation
Lee to Deliver Final Statement Lasting One Hour
On the 25th, Professor Kim Seongcheon of Chung-Ang University Law School and Professor Jeong Junhee of Hanyang University Department of Information Media appeared as sentencing witnesses in the appeal trial of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. They gave differing answers regarding the 'statements of major election candidates.'
The Criminal Division 6-2 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Choi Eunjeong, Lee Yesul, Jeong Jaeoh) held the 5th hearing on the morning of the same day for Lee's charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, conducted documentary evidence examination, and then summoned Professors Kim and Jeong as sentencing witnesses upon requests from the prosecution and Lee's side, respectively, to be questioned. A sentencing witness is a witness whom the court refers to when determining the sentence.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the appeal trial for the election law violation case held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 26th. 2025.2.26. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
On that day, Professor Kim said, "The public tends to believe everything reported on public broadcasting or major daily newspapers as true," adding, "The impact is stronger when false information is spread through broadcasters, major daily newspapers, and other media than general false information dissemination."
This implies that false statements made through broadcast media should be punished more strictly considering their impact on the public. Previously, in November last year, Professor Kim published a column titled 'The Lee Ruling Should Not Be Swayed by Intimidation Outside the Court' in a media outlet.
On the other hand, Professor Jeong gave an answer suggesting that compared to the past, the influence of statements by public office candidates in debates or discussions on voters has decreased. He said, "In the 2000s, interest relatively declined, and viewership also dropped," adding, "Overall influence has diminished."
He also said, "People tend to judge based on atmosphere, attitude, and credibility issues rather than information," and "It is known to be more effective to create favorable feelings by having politicians appear on entertainment programs."
The 6th hearing to be held in the afternoon will be a concluding trial where the prosecution's sentencing recommendation and Lee's final statement will take place. Since sentencing usually occurs within a month after the concluding trial, it is highly likely that Lee's second trial sentence will be announced around the end of March. Lee was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation in the first trial last November.
Before attending the trial on the morning of the same day, Lee told reporters, "The way of the world is all going according to common sense and principles," adding, "The court will make a proper judgment." When asked, "How do you expect the prosecution's sentencing recommendation?" he moved to the courtroom without answering.
Lee was prosecuted for false statement charges after stating in a broadcast interview in December 2021, when he was the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, that he did not know the late Kim Moon-gi, former head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation. He is also accused of making false statements about pressure from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding the change of use of the Korean Food Research Institute site in Baekhyeon-dong, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province.
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