Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung leaves a meeting with contract workers at a restaurant in Seoul on May 1. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
On Wednesday, the Seoul High Court delayed the remand hearing for DP presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung until June 18, following the elections scheduled for June 3.
The Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 7 stated that they moved the trial to a date following the presidential election. This was done to provide the defendant—a presidential candidate—with an equal chance to campaign and to prevent any disputes regarding the impartiality of the trial,
Following an appeal made by Lee’s lawyer earlier that same day to delay Lee’s trial, which had been scheduled for May 15, the decision has now been reached.
“Candidate Lee’s lawyer filed a petition with the Seoul High Court this morning at 11 o’clock requesting an alteration of the trial rehearing date,” stated DP representative Han Min-soo on Wednesday.
The scheduling of the court hearing by the Seoul High Court goes against the Constitution, which ensures free and impartial election campaigning,” Han stated, referencing Article 116 of the Constitution that outlines the freedom to conduct elections, and Article 11 of the Public Official Election Act, which affirms citizens’ rights to engage in these campaigns.
Han stated that the delay “would ensure election fairness and completely safeguard the people’s freedom of choice.”
On Thursday, the Supreme Court reversed the Seoul High Court’s decision to clear Lee of charges related to an alleged election law violation and set May 15 as the date for the initial hearing of his retrial, making him the subject of renewed legal scrutiny.
The defense attorney requested the court to postpone the trial, stating they would “utilize every power bestowed upon the legislative body by the citizens” to “stop what they view as an attempted judicial takeover.” Additionally, the liberal party is contemplating initiating proceedings to impeach Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de due to the high court’s ruling.
BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]
