Lee Jae-myung Absent for Fourth Time as Witness in Daejang-dong Trial... Court Considers "Compulsory Measures"

A total of 8 million won in fines imposed earlier
Court "Concerned about lawmakers' immunity from arrest"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has consecutively failed to appear four times as a witness in the trial of private developers involved in the Daejang-dong scandal. On the 31st, the court announced that it would consider whether compulsory measures such as detention are possible.

Lee Jae-myung, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22 (Chief Judge Jo Hyung-woo) held a trial that morning for private developers involved in Daejang-dong, including Kim Man-bae, major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, and Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of the Planning Department at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who were indicted on charges including breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

Although a witness examination of Lee was scheduled that day, the trial ended after about 16 minutes when Lee submitted a letter of absence in the morning. The letter reportedly stated that "attendance at multiple trials is severely interfering with duties as party leader and legislative activities," and that "urgent situations arose following the December 3 emergency martial law, requiring immediate handling of pressing issues as a member of the National Assembly and party leader."

Previously, Lee had failed to appear as a witness three consecutive times on the 21st, 24th, and 28th. In response, the court imposed a fine of 3 million won on Lee on the 24th and an additional 5 million won fine on the 28th.

On the day, the prosecution stated, "The law imposes a duty to testify on all citizens, and the witness should be well aware of this, yet causing the court, multiple prosecutors, defense attorneys, and defendants to make futile trips and stalling the trial is regrettable," urging the court to "proceed with detention procedures according to principle."

The court said, "The fines have been ineffective, and we are also considering the issue of detention," adding, "However, since the National Assembly’s temporary sessions for April and May appear to be scheduled according to the National Assembly Act, and members of the National Assembly have constitutional immunity from arrest, we are continuously deliberating whether compulsory measures are possible."

It further stated, "If the session is not in progress, we will actively consider detention, but since the session is ongoing, consent procedures from the National Assembly are required," and "We cannot help but consider whether a consent agenda will be submitted and, if submitted, whether consent will be granted."

Moreover, the court said, "The trial has been ongoing for a long time and is in its final stages, so we need to consider whether it is appropriate to wait due to the uncertain issue of National Assembly consent," and announced that it would first expect Lee to appear at the next witness examination scheduled for the 7th of next month and decide on further measures thereafter.

The private developers involved in Daejang-dong were brought to trial on charges including causing 489.5 billion won in damages to Seongnam Urban Development Corporation related to the Daejang-dong development project conducted during Lee’s tenure as mayor of Seongnam.