Seoul High Court Postpones Retrial to June 18
Cho Seungrae: "It Is Only Natural to Delay Remaining Trials During the Election Period"
On May 7, the Democratic Party of Korea stated that the Seoul High Court's decision to postpone the retrial of Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act until after the presidential election was "only natural," adding, "It is also reasonable for the remaining trials to be postponed as well."
Cho Seungrae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election committee, said in a written briefing that while the Seoul High Court's decision to delay the retrial was "the right decision," it also "establishes the minimum conditions for a fair election." He added, "It is fortunate that the court has finally made a decision in line with the principles of popular sovereignty and common sense."
Earlier, the Seoul High Court postponed the retrial on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act to June 18, which is after the presidential election. The court accepted the candidate's request to change the trial date, which was submitted earlier that morning.
The Criminal Division 7 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jaegwon) stated, "We have changed the trial date to after the presidential election in order to guarantee the defendant, who is a presidential candidate, an equal opportunity to campaign and to eliminate any controversy over the fairness of the trial." The court also emphasized, "We have always maintained, and will continue to maintain, a stance of conducting trials independently and fairly in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without any influence or interference from inside or outside the court."
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is greeting citizens and supporters at the Imsil Market in Imsil County, Jeonbuk, on the 7th as part of the 'Listening Tour in Every Alley: National Land Traverse Edition.' Photo by Yonhap News
Initially, the court had been assigned the case on May 2 and had scheduled the first hearing for 2 p.m. on May 15.
Chief spokesperson Cho also noted that, in addition to the Public Official Election Act case, "there are several other trials scheduled," and reiterated that "it is reasonable for the remaining trials to be postponed as well." He further stated, "There should be no factors that hinder the realization of popular sovereignty in the future," and urged, "The judiciary must step down as quickly as possible from the controversy that it is attempting to restrict the people's right to political participation."
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