[Anchor]
The first trial court sentenced Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, to a suspended prison term.If the result of the
sentence is confirmed, not only Lee, who is considered the next presidential candidate, but also the Democratic Party of Korea is expected to suffer a fatal blow.
I'll connect with the reporters on the spot and find out more. Reporter Kim Dahyun!
[Reporter]
Yes, it's in the Seoul Central District Court.
[Anchor]
Please tell me the details of the judgment of the court.
[Reporter]
Yes, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the Democratic Party, to one year in prison and two years of probation for violating the Public Official Election Act.
If the ruling is confirmed, Lee will lose his parliamentary seat and be disenfranchised for the next 10 years.
The Democratic Party must also return 43.4 billion won in campaign funds that were preserved in the last presidential election.
The court first saw some of the remarks related to former Chief Kim Moon-ki as guilty.
Appearing on a show, he saw the part that he did not play golf with Kim as a false fact.Since the related investigation continued until the death of former Chief Kim
, we believe that CEO Lee also had enough time to recall his memory.
However, regarding the remarks that he did not know Director Kim Moon-ki on another broadcast, he was considered innocent, saying that "I knew someone" should be strictly judged to be included in the publication of false information.
However, since both remarks are included in the charges related to Director Kim Moon-ki, he explained that he does not separately acquit them according to the "comprehensive one crime."
[Anchor]
In addition to the broadcast interview related to Director Kim Moon-ki, there were also allegations of publicizing false information related to Baekhyun-dong.
What kind of judgment has been made on this part?
[Reporter]
The court judged that the "replacement of the use of the Baekhyeon-dong site" was not at the request of the Park Geun Hye government's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, but was a decision made by Seongnam City itself.
Crucially, as Seongnam city officials cannot be considered to have been threatened by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the remarks related to CEO Lee were considered false.
In addition, CEO Lee said that he was even recognized for his intention, such as preparing related remarks in advance.
[Anchor]
How did the representative react immediately after the sentence was sentenced?
[Reporter]
Representative Lee, who watched the sentence with a firm expression, stared at the presiding judge for a while after the reading of the order.
Later, as I left the court, I emphasized that it was a difficult conclusion to accept.
It said it would continue the court battle, implying that appeals and appeals still remain.
I'll listen to it myself.
[Lee Jae-myung / Minjoo Party leader: Today's scene will also be a part of Korea's modern history. You will be appealing. It's a conclusion that's hard to accept from basic factual recognition.
On the other hand, the prosecution responded that it was a natural result.
However, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said earlier that it would review the ruling and decide whether to appeal as the sentence was a two-year prison sentence.
[Anchor]
Members of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee's supporters, and conservative groups also visited the court.
What was the court scene like immediately after the sentencing?
[Reporter]
Shortly after the sentence, the advocacy group argued that Lee had received a ridiculous sentence and should fight.
Some used harsh swear words or made embarrassed expressions, while others cried.
The Democratic Party of Korea also lost words and looked stiff right after the sentence.
On the other hand, the conservative group that held the rally today shouted CEO Lee's name and clapped.
Supporters and opponents were also seen engaged in a war of words toward each other as representative Lee left the court.
Concerns about safety accidents were also raised as so many people flocked.
Fortunately, there was no big fuss right after the sentence, but a young man was arrested for throwing his shoes when representative Lee entered the trial before the sentence.
So far, I'm Kim Da-hyun of YTN at the Seoul Central District Court.
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