Kim Yongtae Voices Concern Over Delay in President Lee's North Korea Remittance Trial: "No Absolution During Term"

"Illegal North Korea Remittance Is a Serious Crime... The Public Has the Right to Know"
Urges Suwon District Court to Proceed With Trial... "Make a Wise Decision"

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, urged the continuation of President Lee Jaemyung's trial over the alleged North Korea remittance, stating on June 13, amid the postponement of the Supreme Court remand trial for President Lee's violation of the Public Official Election Act and the Daejang-dong case, "While there may be immunity during the president's term, there can be no absolution."

Chairman Kim made this statement at the National Assembly during his announcement regarding the Suwon District Court's North Korea remittance trial, asserting, "The public has the right to know the truth about the president's alleged crimes related to North Korea projects."

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is making a statement on current issues related to the Suwon District Court's North Korea remittance trial at the National Assembly on June 13, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He argued, "Serious criminal allegations such as the North Korea remittance provide extremely important information about how the president performs official duties," and added, "The public has the right to know clearly whether the president is guilty or innocent of any criminal charges related to official conduct prior to assuming office."

He further predicted, "If the presiding court postpones this trial until after the president's five-year term, the public will lose the opportunity to learn the truth, and distrust in future inter-Korean exchange projects promoted by the government will only deepen."

The 'Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance' case involves suspicions that Ssangbangwool paid $5 million in support funds for a smart farm project promised by Gyeonggi Province to North Korea, as well as $3 million to cover President Lee's visit to North Korea when he was governor. President Lee has been indicted without detention on allegations of involvement in this case, and the first trial is ongoing.

Lee Hwayoung, former Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who has been tried on the same charges, was sentenced by the Supreme Court to seven years and eight months in prison on June 5. Regarding this, Chairman Kim mentioned, "President Lee completely denied these allegations during the presidential campaign, stating, 'This case will eventually be revealed as a fabrication of unprecedented scale.'"

He further pointed out, "If anyone claims that preventing the public from knowing the truth about the president's guilt or innocence during the term of office is in accordance with Article 84 of the Constitution, which grants presidential immunity from prosecution, that would be a constitutional error that undermines the Constitution itself."

He reiterated, "Determining guilt or innocence regarding alleged crimes committed before assuming office is essential for upholding the sovereignty of the people and ensuring transparency in national policy."

He also called on the 11th Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court, which is in charge of the case, stating, "I hope the court will recognize the significant public interest value of the people's right to know about this case and make a wise decision."