**Lee Fined 8 Million Won, Refuses to Attend as Witness for the Fourth Time**
Prosecutors Urge Compulsory Summons…Court Questions Feasibility Due to Legislative Immunity
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, was summoned as a witness in the trial of private developers related to the “Daejang-dong scandal,” but he has failed to attend for the fourth consecutive time. Due to Lee’s repeated non-appearance, the court is considering a compulsory summons but is concerned about its effectiveness due to legislative immunity during the National Assembly session.
The Criminal Agreement Section 22 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Jo Hyeong-woo) held a continuing trial concerning the charges of breach of trust against Kim Man-bae, a major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, and Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of planning at Seongnam Development Corporation. However, the trial ended in 16 minutes as Lee, summoned as a witness, did not appear.
Lee’s side provided a non-attendance statement to the court, citing that he has been indicted in several cases, including the Seongnam FC, Baekhyeon-dong, and Daejang-dong cases, which severely hinder his legislative activities, making it difficult for him to attend the trial as a witness.
The court had previously fined Lee a total of 8 million won for his repeated non-attendance and following the prosecution’s request, but continues to deliberate over the feasibility of compulsory measures due to Lee’s legislative immunity amid the ongoing National Assembly sessions in April and May.
The judges expressed concerns about how prolonging the trial process, given the uncertainty surrounding National Assembly approval for compulsory measures, aligns with expectations for the lengthy trial nearing its final stages. The court plans to await Lee’s attendance at the upcoming witness examination scheduled for April 7 before deciding on further actions.
The private developers involved in the Daejang-dong project are accused of causing a loss of 489.5 billion won to Seongnam Development Corporation during Lee’s tenure as Seongnam mayor by approving a business structure favorable to the developers, with Lee facing a separate trial alongside Jeong Jin-sang, former chief of staff at the party headquarters, in another court.