Absent Again Following the 21st and 24th Hearings
Court Imposes a Total Fine of 8 Million Won
"We Will Discuss Procedures at the Next Hearing"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was summoned as a witness on the 24th for the embezzlement trial of private developers involved in the Daejang-dong development but did not appear. As this was Lee's third absence, the court imposed an additional fine of 5 million won.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving the courthouse after being acquitted in the appeal trial of a violation of the Public Official Election Act held at the Seoul High Court on the 26th. 2025.3.26 Photo by Joint Press Corps
On the 24th, the Criminal Division 22 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Jo Hyung-woo) held the first trial for the embezzlement charges against five private developers including Kim Man-bae related to Daejang-dong and decided to impose a fine of 5 million won on Lee for failing to appear as a witness.
The trial ended in nine minutes without Lee's witness examination. The court stated, "We thought you would appear today since no additional excuse letter was received, but you did not show up," and added, "If you fail to appear again on the next date, the 31st, we will discuss the next procedures."
According to the Criminal Procedure Act, if a witness who has been served a summons fails to appear without a valid reason, a fine of up to 5 million won can be imposed. If the witness again fails to appear without a valid reason after being fined, they may be detained for up to seven days, and compulsory detention is also possible.
Previously, Lee submitted a notice of non-appearance to the court on the 14th, but the court decided to proceed with the witness examination as scheduled, stating it was necessary for the trial. Lee did not attend the trials on the 21st and 24th and was fined 3 million won. With the additional 5 million won fine imposed on this day, Lee will pay a total fine of 8 million won.
The private developers involved in Daejang-dong were brought to trial on charges including causing a loss of 489.5 billion won to Seongnam Urban Development Corporation during the Daejang-dong development project carried out while Lee was mayor of Seongnam.
The court has also scheduled Lee's witness examination for the 31st of this month, and the 7th and 14th of next month.
Meanwhile, Lee is also undergoing a separate trial related to allegations of preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development. He is being tried alongside Jeong Jin-sang, former director of political coordination in the party leader’s office, on charges of approving a development structure favorable to the developers during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, which caused losses to the corporation.
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