Im Jongseok Criticizes Lee Jaemyung Case Remand as "Political Tyranny Disguised in Legal Form"

"Abusing the Law to Deny Popular Sovereignty"

Im Jongseok, former presidential chief of staff, criticized the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the acquittal of Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, and send his violation of the Public Official Election Act case back to a lower court for a guilty verdict. He stated, "This is an abuse of the law that denies the sovereignty of the people."

Im Jongseok, former presidential chief of staff. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On May 1, Im wrote on his Facebook page, "This is a political tyranny disguised in legal form, and a direct betrayal of the people that stands against the spirit of the Constitution."

The Supreme Court's Grand Bench (presiding justice Park Youngjae) overturned the previous acquittal for Lee and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court. The presiding judge is Chief Justice Cho Heedae. The Supreme Court stated, "Lee's remarks regarding Kim Moonki and Baekhyeondong constitute the dissemination of false information under Article 250, Paragraph 1 of the Public Official Election Act," and added, "The appellate court misunderstood the legal principles regarding the Election Act."

Im further stated, "Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea declares that the Republic of Korea is a democratic republic, that sovereignty belongs to the people, and that all power comes from the people," adding, "Whenever the Korean community is shaken, we must return to the spirit of the Constitution and the principles of democracy. The essence and purpose of democracy is popular sovereignty."

He continued, "The application of law is merely a means to realize popular sovereignty and can never be absolute. The moment the rule of law is abused to deny popular sovereignty, the court's legitimacy comes into question. No power can stand above the people."

He also emphasized, "Chief Justice Cho Heedae and the Supreme Court are no exception and must remain prudent, keeping in mind that they should wait for the judgment of the people. Now is the time for the people alone."

Meanwhile, on April 30, Im was appointed chairman of the Committee for Peace and Prosperity and joined Lee's election campaign committee.