Simultaneous Criticism of the Court, Democratic Party, and People Power Party
To the Seoul High Court: "Humiliating Change of Trial Date in Submission to Intimidation"
To the Democratic Party: "Intention to Place Lee Jaemyung Above the Constitution"
To People Power Party and Kim: "Aren't You Ashamed Before the People?"
Han Donghoon, the former leader of the People Power Party who was eliminated in the party's final presidential primary, criticized on May 7, immediately after the Seoul High Court announced the postponement of the trial date for Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung's violation of the Public Official Election Act. He stated, "Even in this situation, do we really have the mindset to grab each other's topknots and rip out each other's beards, fighting among ourselves?"
On Facebook that day, Han said, "The court has succumbed to the intimidation of Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party, making a humiliating decision to change the trial date." He was referring to the decision by the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 7 (Chief Judge Lee Jaegwon), which is handling the appellate trial following the remand of Lee's Public Official Election Act violation case, to postpone the first hearing to June 18, after the presidential election.
Regarding the passage of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act?which would suspend ongoing criminal trials if the defendant is elected president?by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's subcommittee earlier that morning, Han said, "The Democratic Party is pushing through a bill today that would suspend trial proceedings if the defendant becomes president." He added, "Even if Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party enact such a law, it is 'unconstitutional.'"
He continued, "The purpose of Article 84 of the Constitution is not to allow the presidency to be used as a refuge for criminals," and emphasized, "Even if they create an unconstitutional law and temporarily halt the trial, they can never escape the consequences of their crimes forever."
People Power Party presidential candidate Han Donghoon is awaiting the results at the 5th Party Convention held on May 3 at Kintex in Ilsan, Gyeonggi. 2025.05.03 Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
Regarding the Democratic Party's push to force through the Criminal Procedure Act amendment, Han criticized, "A dictatorship is right before our eyes. Everything Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party are doing is to revise the law for the sake of one candidate, wield power for the sake of one candidate, and ensure that one candidate stands above the Constitution."
Addressing the party leadership and candidate Kim, who are in conflict over unification with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, Han said, "Are you just going to stand by and watch this? Aren't you ashamed and sorry in front of the people?" He added, "If you are not ashamed or sorry, then go ahead and keep fighting among yourselves."
He concluded, "As for me, for our people, for the Republic of Korea, I will continue to fight against the dictatorship of Lee Jaemyung," and reiterated, "I will keep going."
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