Will the Ruling Party, Weakened by the 'Lee Judicial Risk' Card, Revise Its Strategy?

Ruling Party Urges Supreme Court for Swift Ruling
Moves to Keep Lee Jae-myung's Judicial Risk Alive
Calls Grow for Revising Anti-Lee Jae-myung Strategy

The People Power Party was thrown into shock when Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was acquitted in the second trial of the Public Official Election Act case. While they are urging the Supreme Court for a swift ruling and highlighting the judicial risk once again, there are indications that a strategic revision is inevitable.

On the 27th, the leadership of the People Power Party unanimously expressed messages that it was difficult to accept the judiciary’s second trial verdict. Kwon Young-se, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, emphasized at the emergency meeting, "The trust in the judicial system is based on rationality and predictability, but yesterday’s ruling destroyed everything," adding, "We will never stop the fight to uphold the rule of law." Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, also urged, "The acquittal decision was made first, and then the logic was fitted afterward," and said, "The Supreme Court must correct this to restore the authority of the judiciary."

Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. 2025.3.27 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The party shows a clearly bewildered expression. They had expected a guilty verdict as in the first trial, but the result was practically the opposite. Until just the day before the verdict, they were even urging Lee to accept the second trial result, giving weight to the loss of eligibility to run for office. A senior lawmaker said in a phone call, "It is a ruling difficult to understand with common sense," and sighed, "It can only be seen as the result differing depending on the political inclination of the judges."

The ruling party is, for now, moving to keep alive the remaining judicial risk surrounding Lee. While urging the Supreme Court for a swift ruling, they are emphasizing that other trials are lined up one after another. Shin Dong-wook, the chief spokesperson, pointed out, "The fact that Lee is a 'four-time convicted offender' and the label of '8 cases, 12 charges, 5 trials' still remain."

There is also an expectation that the second trial acquittal could work favorably in public opinion. This is because the anti-Lee Jae-myung sentiment could strengthen due to judicial decisions perceived as favorable only to the opposition. Some also believe that the hardline supporters hoping for the dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s impeachment will become more consolidated. A lawmaker from Busan, Lee’s electoral district, said, "Judicial rulings and the public’s sense of justice are different realms," adding, "We must continue to point out the problems of rulings that unilaterally side with someone and appeal to public opinion."

Some voices suggest that the strategy relying on judicial risk should be revised. This is because if President Yoon is impeached and an early presidential election phase opens, the key card that could shake Lee will lose its power. The ruling party has so far concentrated its firepower on attacking Lee to the extent of even publishing a 'Lee Jae-myung Outrageous Remarks Collection.'

Another concern is that no clear candidate from the ruling coalition has yet emerged to block Lee’s solo run in the event of an early presidential election. A ruling party official said, "Unlike Lee, who has effectively started his early presidential election campaign after the second trial ruling, the lack of time and absence of a prominent rival is a concern."