Kim Yongtae: "Lee Jaemyung Sees the Supreme Court as a Political Subcontractor... Defend the Rule of Law with Your Vote"

"Politics Must Not Be Allowed to Control the Law"
"Please Protect the Separation of Powers"

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, criticized Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, on June 2, saying that Lee's remarks regarding his violation of the Public Official Election Act case being remanded by the Supreme Court for a guilty verdict amounted to "judicial manipulation." Lee had stated, "From what I heard, the initial plan was to dismiss it quickly, but one day it changed."

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, appeals for support at Kim Moonsoo's presidential campaign rally held on the 30th at Cheongpyeong Clock Tower Square in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News

At an emergency press conference held in front of Busan Station that afternoon, Kim said, "I am here today to clearly inform the public about a very serious matter."

Kim stated, "Candidate Lee appeared on Kim Eojun's YouTube channel and revealed communication with the Supreme Court. He himself called it an exclusive scoop," emphasizing, "Yes, it is an exclusive scoop. Because it is a confession of a crime by a person in power, violating the Constitution."

He continued, "Candidate Lee said he thought the verdict would be dismissed. He said he was grateful for that. But when the case was remanded for a guilty verdict, he said he was dumbfounded," and asked, "Is this even possible according to common sense?"

Kim argued, "For a politician like Lee Jaemyung, the judiciary is not a body for rulings, but merely a political partner who can cooperate," and claimed, "Candidate Lee's remarks are not a slip of the tongue. They are a deliberate perception. He regards the Supreme Court as a subcontractor for political purposes."

Kim insisted, "Candidate Lee must reveal the truth to the public even now," and asked, "Who provided him with internal information from the Supreme Court? When and through what channel did he hear it? Does the Democratic Party make deals with the judiciary every time there is a trial?"

He further stated, "If Candidate Lee's remarks are false, it is a serious dissemination of false information, using the judiciary as a tool for political manipulation ahead of the election," and emphasized, "On the other hand, if it is true, this country is now in the midst of judicial manipulation."

Addressing the Supreme Court, Kim said, "You must not remain silent," and added, "To protect the honor and dignity of the judiciary, you must make your position clear immediately."

Kim also said, "Candidate Lee and the Democratic Party are still pushing for a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court justices," and stated, "Their intention is clear. They want to place people in the Supreme Court who will issue rulings favorable to Lee Jaemyung, and to design the Supreme Court just like Daejang-dong."

He continued, "Politics must not be allowed to control the law," and appealed, "It is up to you to protect the separation of powers, democracy, and the rule of law in this country. Show it through your vote."