Jeong: "I am facing another trial and have no trust in the prosecution's witness requests"
Jeong Jin-sang, former head of the political affairs office for the Democratic Party leader, appeared as a witness in the trial of private operators involved in the Daejang-dong scandal but refused to testify.
On April 28, the 22nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Cho Hyung-woo) held a continued trial for Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of planning at Seongnam Development Corporation, and private operators involved in the Daejang-dong case, who are charged with violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (Bribery), among other offenses.
During the prosecution's direct examination, Jeong, who appeared as a witness that day, stated, "I refuse to testify on any matter as I am currently on trial." Even when the prosecution asked whether he could confirm procedural rights, he did not respond.
When Jeong also refused to answer questions about the date of Yoo's appointment, the court asked, "What does this have to do with your trial as a witness?" In response, Jeong explained, "First, in both the first and second trials of the Baekhyeon-dong case, the prosecution requested me as a witness. Although I intended to appear for the first trial, the prosecution said there was no need for me to attend since I was involved in another trial, so I did not go." He continued, "(The prosecution) says I don't need to appear when it's not necessary. I have no trust in the overall witness request process." He added, "Second, no matter what I testify, the media twists my words in ways I did not intend. Therefore, I cannot give any testimony."
The court then pointed out that other defendants had testified at Jeong's trial for long periods, and both the witness and the witness's attorney had conducted cross-examinations, suggesting that Jeong's refusal was inconsistent with fairness. Jeong replied, "That is their judgment, but I do not see it that way." When the court asked again, "Wouldn't it be better to simply say you do not know if you do not know?" Jeong responded, "I have made up my mind to refuse to testify. Please understand."
Previously, the court decided to proceed with Jeong's witness examination after Lee Jae-myung, former Democratic Party leader, who had been summoned as a witness, failed to appear five times. Jeong's first scheduled testimony was on April 18, but he did not attend, citing a dental surgery appointment.
The private operators involved in this case are on trial for allegedly causing 489.5 billion won in damages to Seongnam Development Corporation during the Daejang-dong development project, which took place while Lee was serving as mayor of Seongnam. Lee is also facing a separate trial with Jeong, accused of approving a development structure favorable to these operators during his tenure as mayor, thereby causing losses to the corporation.
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