Han Donghoon Camp: "Lee Jaemyung Must Immediately Withdraw Candidacy Out of Duty to the People"

Supreme Court Overturns Appellate Acquittal of Lee Jaemyung, Finds Guilt in Appeal
Han Donghoon's Camp: "A Person Who Does Not Abide by the Law Cannot Become President"

The camp of Han Donghoon, former People Power Party representative and a preliminary presidential candidate for the People Power Party, strongly criticized former Democratic Party representative Lee Jaemyung on May 1, stating, "It is only natural that someone who does not abide by the law cannot become president," and emphasized, "He should immediately withdraw his candidacy."

Kim Hyungdong, a member of the National Assembly and head of public relations for Han's campaign, said in a statement that afternoon, "The Supreme Court has delivered a reasonable ruling in line with the common sense of the people," and added, "The Supreme Court has confirmed that the Republic of Korea is a democratic nation and has demonstrated that the rule of law is alive in Korea."

Former People Power Party Representative Han Donghoon, a preliminary presidential candidate for the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "The Supreme Court has in effect explained that candidate Lee Jaemyung is guilty," and pointed out, "It explicitly stated that all the issues in question involved the dissemination of false information. In light of Article 250, Paragraph 1 of the Public Official Election Act, which addresses the crime of spreading false information for the purpose of election, it clearly declared Lee's guilt."

He further stated, "Despite the Supreme Court's unusually swift proceedings, the decision was not to uphold the previous ruling but to remand the case, indicating that there was no difficulty in interpreting or applying the law," and added, "It remains incomprehensible that the appellate court delivered a not-guilty verdict."

Kim noted, "Originally, election law trials were supposed to be concluded within six months for the first trial, three months for the second, and three months for the third, but in Lee's case, the first and second trials alone dragged on for two years and six months. Candidate Lee Jaemyung employed a trial delay strategy that 'ordinary citizens' could not even imagine, all for the sake of his presidential ambitions."

Kim further asserted, "If the 6-3-3 principle in accordance with the law had been applied to Lee without exception, it is no exaggeration to say that he would not be a presidential candidate at this very moment."

He said, "Candidate Lee and the Democratic Party, who repeatedly engaged in anti-rule-of-law actions to delay and obstruct a fair trial, should deeply reflect and offer a sincere apology to the people," and added, "Immediately withdrawing his candidacy is the only proper and responsible course of action for someone who sought to become president."

On this day, the Supreme Court's Grand Bench overturned the appellate court's not-guilty verdict for former representative Lee and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court. Previously, the first trial found Lee guilty and sentenced him to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, but the second trial acquitted him of all charges.