The case of Lee Jae-myeong, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, being accused of perjury, for which he was acquitted in the first trial, began with the so-called ’impersonation of a prosecutor’ case in 2002.
The gist of the suspicion is that Mr. Choi, who was the producer of ‘Seongnam Parkview Use Change and Preferential Sales’, which was scheduled to be aired on KBS at the time, was involved in the process of impersonating a prosecutor and talking on the phone with former Seongnam Mayor Kim Byeong-ryang, Gyeonggi Province. According to the ruling, Representative Lee said, “There is a prosecutor named Seo at the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office who speaks Gyeongsang-do, and the mayor will know that name well,” and Mr. Choi started the call by saying to Mayor Kim, “I am the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office.” In this case, CEO Lee was indicted on charges of impersonating a public official and making a false accusation, and was fined 1.5 million won in 2004. However, in a TV debate in 2018 when he was running for governor of Gyeonggi Province, Representative Lee said, “I was falsely accused because I was interviewing the PD (impersonating a prosecutor) from the side,” and “I was working (at the time of the interview) on something else.” “What I did during the interview in my office ended up helping me,” he said.
Representative Lee was handed over to trial on charges of publishing false facts related to this remark and the remark about ‘forced hospitalization of his own brother’, but was acquitted in all 1st to 3rd trials of ‘impersonating a prosecutor’. In the legal world, it was pointed out that the fact that Kim Jin-seong, Mayor Kim’s executive secretary at the time, perjured himself by saying, “Former Mayor Kim decided to accuse Lee of impersonating a prosecutor” was influential. Mr. Kim, who confessed to perjury, was sentenced to a fine of 5 million won in the first trial on the 25th. Representative Lee was sentenced to a fine of 3 million won, equivalent to invalidating his election, in the second trial for his remarks about ‘forced hospitalization of his older brother.’ However, after being ultimately acquitted by the Supreme Court, he quickly emerged as a presidential candidate. Former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il, who is suspected of being involved in the Daejangdong scandal, is known to have played the role of a casting vote in the Supreme Court’s plenary body.
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Reporter Heo Dong-jun [email protected]
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What are the key legal challenges faced by politicians in South Korea?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Legal Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Professor Min Ji-ho, an esteemed legal expert and former prosecutor, to shed light on the recent developments surrounding Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Professor Min, thank you for joining us.
Professor Min: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s start with the basics. Lee Jae-myung was recently acquitted in a trial concerning allegations of perjury related to a case from 2002. Can you walk us through the significance of this acquittal?
Professor Min: Certainly. Lee’s acquittal is significant because it highlights the complexities involved in legal accusations against political figures. The original case dates back to an incident involving impersonation of a prosecutor, a charge that Lee consistently denied throughout the legal proceedings. The court’s decision to acquit him suggests that the evidence presented did not meet the threshold for conviction.
Editor: Interesting. The case itself seems to have a convoluted background, particularly the involvement of individuals like Mr. Choi, who allegedly impersonated a prosecutor. How do you evaluate the legal implications of this impersonation case?
Professor Min: The impersonation case adds layers of nuance to the accusations against Lee. The initial alleged offense stemmed from a conversation that allegedly involved misleading authorities. However, Lee’s defense hinged on the assertion that he was not a participant in those deceptive tactics. The acquittal of both Lee and Mr. Choi speaks volumes about the evidentiary challenges in proving such claims of misconduct.
Editor: To clarify, Mr. Kim, the former mayor’s executive secretary, admitted to perjury. How does this confession impact Lee’s case?
Professor Min: Mr. Kim’s recantation is pivotal. Legal systems often weigh testimonies significantly, especially when they involve admissions of wrongdoing. His confession to perjury indicates that the narrative presented against Lee may have been constructed on unreliable or false testimonies, which ultimately weakened the prosecution’s stance and contributed to Lee’s acquittal.
Editor: It’s fascinating how legal narratives evolve. Lee Jae-myung has also faced criticisms regarding other allegations, such as remarks about forced hospitalization of his brother. What are the broader implications of these kinds of allegations on a politician’s career?
Professor Min: Such allegations can be incredibly damaging to a politician’s public image and career. Even if proven innocent, the public perception can linger. In Lee’s case, despite the controversies and the sanctions he faced, he managed to rebound quickly, emerging as a credible presidential candidate. This reflects both the resilience of his political base and the potential for individuals to separate their political aspirations from past legal troubles.
Editor: You mentioned political base resilience. What do you think this indicates about the political climate in South Korea?
Professor Min: The current atmosphere in South Korea is characterized by a strong polarization of political opinions. Lee’s ability to maintain support despite legal challenges demonstrates that many voters still prioritize policy and ideological alignment over personal controversies. This polarization means that incidents like this can galvanize supporters, while opponents may use them to rally their base.
Editor: Very insightful. As we stand now, what do you foresee in terms of Lee Jae-myung’s political future?
Professor Min: If he continues to navigate these legal waters without further significant allegations emerging, I believe he may very well solidify his leadership role and remain a key player in the upcoming elections. However, the ever-changing political landscape means that he must remain vigilant, as public sentiment can shift rapidly.
Editor: Thank you, Professor Min, for your invaluable insights into such a multifaceted issue. It seems certain that we have not yet heard the last of Lee Jae-myung, and the political ramifications of this case will continue to unfold.
Professor Min: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing this timely topic with you.
Editor: And to our viewers, thank you for tuning in! We will continue to follow the developments in this case and its implications for the political landscape in South Korea. Stay informed!