"Has the Judiciary Lost Its Impartiality Due to Democratic Party's Intimidation?"... People Power Party Criticizes Postponement of Lee Jaemyung's Trial

Chief Spokesperson Shin Dongwook: "It Will Be Hard for the Majority of the Public to Accept"
Concerns Raised Over Requests to Change Court Dates for Daejang-dong and Perjury Coaching Trials

The People Power Party expressed "regret" on May 7 regarding the Seoul High Court's decision to postpone the first retrial hearing for Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act until after the presidential election. The party also raised concerns, stating, "It is hard to dispel suspicions that the judiciary may have lost its impartiality due to the Democratic Party's intimidation of the judicial branch."

Shin Dongwook, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented on the news of the postponement, saying, "Although the decision may have been made after much deliberation to eliminate any controversy over the fairness of the trial in accordance with the law and principles, it is questionable whether the majority of the public will be able to accept this."

People Power Party lawmakers, including floor leader Kwon Sungdong, shouted the slogan "Oppose Lee Jae-myung's exculpatory legislation" in opposition to the National Assembly Judiciary Committee's approval of the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act led by the Democratic Party, which would suspend trials upon the election of a president, during a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Shin also expressed concern over Lee's legal team requesting changes to court dates in other cases due to the election. He stated, "Lee's legal team has also requested a change of date for the trials related to the Daejang-dong and perjury coaching cases," adding, "This is nothing more than another sign that, depending on the favorability of the verdict or the way the judge conducts the trial, they will resort to the threat of judicial impeachment if things do not go their way, thereby arbitrarily shaking the judiciary."

Shin emphasized, "The foundation of the rule of law is the fundamental principle that no one is above the law," and added, "What the public truly desires is a fair judiciary that is not swayed by political interests, and a just nation where all are equal before the law." He continued, "With the judiciary's decision to postpone the trial, the choice now rests with the people," and stated, "We expect the wise judgment of the wise people."