(Society) Lee Jae-myung is not guilty of perjury in the first trial…”There is no evidence of his involvement in this incident.”

(Anchor)
Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, was acquitted in the first hearing of the perjured teacher case.

Let’s connect the YTN legal team reporter to see how the court decision came out.

Reporters Kwon Junsu and Kim Dahyun, please come out.

(Reporter Kwon Junsu)
Yes, we are in the Seoul Central District Court.

The first trial of Representative Lee Jae-myung was recently sentenced.

I will share the news with reporter Kim Da-hyun.

Reporter Kim, shall we summarize the sentence first?

(Reporter Kim Dahyun)
Yes, Democratic Party of Korea chairman Lee Jae-myung, who was suspected of making false statements to witness Kim Jin-sung at his trial in 2018, was acquitted.

Earlier, CEO Lee had listened to the verdict expressionlessly with a smile on his face as he spoke to the lawyer in court before the sentencing.

The court saw no direct evidence that CEO Lee committed perjury.

It’s hard to say that CEO Lee intervened to give false testimony.

During the telephone conversation with CEO Lee, it was evaluated that Kim had not decided in detail whether or not he would testify or what kind of statement he would give.

(Anchor)
So what was the testimony of court judge Kim Jin-sung?

(Correspondent)
Yes, some statements made by Kim Jin-sung, secretary of former Seongnam Mayor Kim Byung-ryang, who is the center of the case, about representative Lee Jae-myung were considered perjury.

Kim Jin-sung, who was tried on charges of perjury, was fined 5 million won.

However, as I said, CEO Lee was found not guilty, but I don’t think that was the teacher’s intention.

The court also explained that it was difficult to interpret that CEO Lee asked Kim to make false statements by merely stating the one-sided claim.

Rather, I decided that he meant this to me as Lee’s representative.

Regarding the prosecution’s allegation that CEO Lee encouraged Kim to commit perjury by providing a summary of his claim:

Ask your memory to check the data that supports your claim,

I decided that Kim’s recollection of the situation at that time was not contrary to common sense.

(Reporter Kwon Junsu)
What was CEO Lee Jae-myung’s reaction after the hearing?

(Reporter Kim Dahyun)
Lee left the court shortly after the sentencing and said he was grateful to the court for restoring truth and justice.

He said that although the process was difficult and long, he was a part of the Changhae family and that the difficulty he experienced was just a narrow window of rice in the sea.

It is insignificant compared to the challenges people face.

Lee also told the government and the ruling party that they will do their best to help the people live a better life and that they should now follow policies that save people instead of killing them.

(Reporter Kwon Junsu)
There is a rally around the field, please tell us what the reaction was like.

(Reporter Kim Dahyun)
Yes, as soon as the results of the trial came out, representative Lee Jae-myung’s support group stood up and cheered, saying they were innocent.

He welcomed the acquittal by shouting CEO Lee’s name.

It was like carrying a banner thanking you for the fair decision or waving a blue balloon over your head.

On the other hand, while conservative groups continued to speak freely, they also expressed criticism towards the judge on duty.

Approximately 60 Democratic Party members, including active members of parliament, visited the court today.

Representative Kang Sun-woo and others smiled broadly and some burst into tears immediately after the sentencing was completed.

(Reporter Kwon Junsu)
Today’s sentencing is likely to be a major turning point in Representative Lee’s political life.
How is the wavelength
expected?

(Reporter Kim Dahyun)
With the acquittal this time, the legal risk of CEO Lee Jae-myung, who participated in five cases, has decreased slightly.

Ten days ago, he was suspended from prison for violating the Public Servants Electoral Act, meaning that if he was found guilty again, the Democratic Party would also be liable.

We will let you know again when we confirm whether the prosecution will object.

So far, Seoul Central District Court has informed you.

※ ‘Your report becomes news’
(Kakao Talk) YTN Search and Add Channel
(Phone) 02-398-8585
(Mail) [email protected]