Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is facing a first trial verdict on the ‘Election Act’ on the 15th. If a fine of 1 million won or more is finalized, he will lose his eligibility to run for office, making him ineligible to run in the 2027 presidential election.
Lee is accused of making false statements during a broadcast in December 2021, while he was the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. He allegedly stated that he was not aware of Kim Moon-ki, a former head of the Development Department at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who was involved in the Daejang-dong project, claiming Kim was a low-ranking employee during his tenure as mayor.
Additionally, Lee is accused of making false statements during a National Assembly audit in October of the same year, alleging that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had pressured him regarding a land use change in Baekhyundong. The Public Official Election Act, Article 250, which he is being charged under, penalizes those who publish false information about their birthplace, family, occupation, career, property, or actions to get elected.
The court is expected to determine whether Lee made the statements knowingly and intentionally and whether they significantly influenced voters’ decisions in the presidential election.
If Lee receives a fine of 1 million won or more, the worst-case scenario could unfold. If the fine is upheld by the Supreme Court, he will lose his parliamentary seat and be barred from running for office for five years, thus excluding him from the 2027 presidential election.
Moreover, if Lee receives a fine of 1 million won or more in the final appeal, the Democratic Party will have to return 43.4 billion won in election expenses reimbursed by the National Election Commission for the last presidential election.
Conversely, if the fine is less than 1 million won or he is acquitted, Lee will surpass a significant judicial hurdle. An acquittal could lead to increased opposition strife against the government and prosecution.
Meanwhile, several members of the Democratic Party’s Prosecution Dictatorship Committee and leadership are set to gather in front of the Seoul Central District Court to denounce the prosecution’s investigation and support Lee.
Given the anticipated large crowd at the court, Seoul Central District Court is taking safety measures. The court will move the proceedings from a small courtroom with about 30 seats to a medium courtroom with around 100 seats and will close some entrances. Measures to protect the judges’ safety in the event of an incident are also reportedly being considered.