Local Leaders and Lawmakers Criticize Supreme Court Ruling
"Judiciary Intervenes in Politics Ahead of Presidential Election"
When the Supreme Court on the 1st overturned the appellate court's acquittal of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung in his public official election law violation case and remanded it with a guilty intent, political circles in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions responded with unified opposition.
Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung is expressing his stance on the Supreme Court ruling after holding a meeting with non-traditional workers such as delivery riders and parcel couriers under the theme "Invisible Heroes Who Make Your Day" at a pojangmacha restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung posted on Facebook, stating, "Judicial rulings are unpredictable. The first, second, and third trials are all different each time," and added, "Ultimately, the future of the Republic of Korea will be decided by the people through their votes."
Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeonnam, also remarked, "The moment I heard the Supreme Court's remand order, I could not believe my ears," and criticized, "It was a lightning-fast trial, like roasting beans." Governor Kim further stated, "The Supreme Court's decision to remand the case ahead of the June 3 presidential election is political intervention intended to maximize its impact on the election," and added, "The judiciary has left a stain by intervening in politics."
Local National Assembly members also expressed their positions in succession. Representative Park Jiwan said, "The Supreme Court's decision was unexpected from the people's perspective," and pledged, "We will do our utmost to prove innocence at the High Court."
Representative Lee Gaeho stated, "The Supreme Court has finally gone so far as to make a political ruling," while Representative Jung Jinwook claimed, "This is intervention in the presidential election to prevent a change of government," and added, "The rebellion continues and must be suppressed."
Representative Jeon Jinsook criticized the Supreme Court's decision, saying, "It is an attempt to silence politicians and block the people's choice."
On the 1st, citizens at Seoul Station watched the live broadcast of the Supreme Court ruling on the public official election law case involving Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. Yonhap News
Previously, the Supreme Court determined that Lee's remarks made ahead of the 2021 presidential election?claiming not to know the late Kim Moonki, former Head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Development Corporation, and that the Baekhyeon-dong zoning change was due to threats from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport?constituted the dissemination of false information. The Supreme Court overturned the acquittal verdict from the appellate court and sent the case back to the Seoul High Court.
In response, candidate Lee Jae Myung met with reporters after a meeting in Jongno, Seoul, and stated, "The law is also a product of public consensus, and ultimately, the will of the people is most important." Regarding calls for his resignation, he drew a line, saying, "Politics belongs to the people." Lee's legal team expressed regret over the Supreme Court's decision, stating, "It is difficult to accept as it contradicts existing precedents."
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