Lee Jae Myung: "Judges' Meeting Is a Problem-Solving Process... Judiciary Must Be Fixed If It Turns Its Guns on Us"

"Do Not Break the Trust of the Judiciary Members"
On Calls for Cho Hee-dae's Resignation: "The Judiciary Is the Last Bastion"

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, commented on the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court's remand ruling in his 'perjury instigation case,' stating, "We are currently in the process of resolving the issue." While emphasizing the importance of public trust in the judiciary, he also said that the judiciary, as the "last bastion," must not be shaken.

On May 9 in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, during his 'Listening Tour,' Lee responded to related questions from reporters by saying, "The courts must remember how much our people trust and expect from the judiciary. That trust and faith must not be broken."

Regarding calls within the party for Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to step down, Lee said, "The judiciary is the last bastion. Our people and the members of the judiciary all know what it means to protect this bastion. I trust the majority of the judiciary, and I believe in our judicial system."

On the 9th, Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited the Gyeongbuk region as part of his 3rd Neighborhood Listening Tour. He visited Yeongcheon Public Market in Yeongcheon City, Gyeongbuk, where he purchased dried chili peppers using Yeongcheon Love Gift Certificates at a store. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee continued, "I have faced numerous unfounded indictments and have been persecuted by the prosecution, but I have always ultimately trusted the judiciary. Despite those attacks, I have survived because of the judiciary. Even when most people said there was a high chance of my arrest warrant being granted, the court dismissed the warrant."

He added, "Even under the Yoon Suk Yeol prosecution administration, I was indicted on 11 counts. Of those, the case they expected to have the highest chance of a guilty verdict was the perjury instigation case. I believed, based on Supreme Court precedents, that I would naturally be found not guilty, and that is what happened. That is why Lee Jae Myung the politician, and Lee Jae Myung the person, are still standing. My faith in the courts remains valid."

Nevertheless, Lee said, "If the last bastion becomes tainted, what can we rely on to live? Look at how Brazil, which was once doing well, has declined. What would happen if the 'last bastion' turned its guns on us or self-destructed? It must be fixed."

On this day, Lee paid his respects at the Memorial Monument inside the Dabudong Battle Memorial Hall in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province. The memorial commemorates the fierce Dabudong Battle during the Korean War, and it was reported that Lee personally suggested the visit. Explaining the background of his decision, Lee said, "Our country has fought too much, and especially politics has fueled this," mentioning the harm caused by factional conflict. He continued, "When remembering those who gave their lives to defend the country, does it matter which side they were closer to? Shouldn't we remember and honor them?"

He added, "I have avoided visiting the graves of former presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung Hee because I was concerned it would become another source of political strife, but this time I decided to go despite that, and there wasn't much controversy. Doesn't everyone have both merits and faults?"

On this day, Lee also announced a set of safety pledges for the North Gyeongsang region, which recently suffered significant damage from wildfires. These included strengthening national responsibility for wildfire disaster response, enhancing inspections to prevent land subsidence accidents, and institutionalizing the designation of responsible agency heads by disaster type.

On May 10, Lee will officially register as a presidential candidate with the National Election Commission. Kim Yoon Deok, head of the campaign's general affairs division, will register on his behalf, and actor Lee Gwanhun, who was seen persuading martial law troops during the martial law crisis, will also accompany him.