Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Geon-tae, Seo Young-kyu, and Lee Yong-woo hold a press conference at the National Assembly on June 21, 2026. [Photo=Yonhap News]
Lawmakers from the Democratic Party, who served on the National Investigation Committee regarding allegations of manipulated prosecutions, emphasized on June 21 that the recent verdict against former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young has once again exposed the reality of political manipulation by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's prosecutors.
During a press conference at the National Assembly, lawmakers Lee Geon-tae, Seo Young-kyu, and Lee Yong-woo cited the court's declaration of prosecutorial abuse of power as the basis for their claims. They stated, "This ruling, which acknowledges prosecutorial abuse, is a significant event that undermines the very purpose of the prosecution. The prosecution must apologize to the public."
In a statement issued collectively by the Democratic Party members of the National Investigation Committee, they defended Lee Hwa-young's conviction for perjury, asserting it to be a 'substantial acquittal.' They argued that the fact that former Sangbangwool director Park Sang-woong purchased four bottles of soju and three bottles of water at a convenience store near the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office on May 17, 2023, serves as evidence that alcohol was provided. They claimed that proving Lee's perjury would be difficult, suggesting a high likelihood of an acquittal in the appeals court.
In the previous trial, conducted with a jury, four out of seven jurors found Lee guilty of perjury. The Suwon District Court's Criminal Division 11, led by Judge Song Byeong-hoon, stated, "While the testimonies of related parties in the prosecutor's office were consistent and corroborative, the defendant's statements lacked consistency and credibility," sentencing Lee to four months in prison.
Following the press conference, Lee Geon-tae spoke with reporters, stating, "In a criminal trial, guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If three out of seven jurors believe in innocence, it should be seen as insufficient proof, leading to a not guilty verdict in accordance with legal principles."
Seo Young-kyu, who chaired the National Investigation Committee, emphasized the need for accountability and punishment based on the findings revealed through the committee's work, advocating for a special prosecutor to investigate further. He remarked, "It has become clear that the prosecution manipulated the investigation and prosecution, using Lee Hwa-young as a scapegoat to eliminate political opponents. We will discuss this with the party leadership and proceed with the special prosecutor's investigation as the new assembly convenes."
However, Seo refrained from directly answering questions regarding the 'authority to dismiss charges' included in the proposed special prosecutor bill, stating, "We will discuss this with the party leadership and ensure that the legislative and judicial committees pass the necessary bills."
During a press conference at the National Assembly, lawmakers Lee Geon-tae, Seo Young-kyu, and Lee Yong-woo cited the court's declaration of prosecutorial abuse of power as the basis for their claims. They stated, "This ruling, which acknowledges prosecutorial abuse, is a significant event that undermines the very purpose of the prosecution. The prosecution must apologize to the public."
In a statement issued collectively by the Democratic Party members of the National Investigation Committee, they defended Lee Hwa-young's conviction for perjury, asserting it to be a 'substantial acquittal.' They argued that the fact that former Sangbangwool director Park Sang-woong purchased four bottles of soju and three bottles of water at a convenience store near the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office on May 17, 2023, serves as evidence that alcohol was provided. They claimed that proving Lee's perjury would be difficult, suggesting a high likelihood of an acquittal in the appeals court.
In the previous trial, conducted with a jury, four out of seven jurors found Lee guilty of perjury. The Suwon District Court's Criminal Division 11, led by Judge Song Byeong-hoon, stated, "While the testimonies of related parties in the prosecutor's office were consistent and corroborative, the defendant's statements lacked consistency and credibility," sentencing Lee to four months in prison.
Following the press conference, Lee Geon-tae spoke with reporters, stating, "In a criminal trial, guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If three out of seven jurors believe in innocence, it should be seen as insufficient proof, leading to a not guilty verdict in accordance with legal principles."
Seo Young-kyu, who chaired the National Investigation Committee, emphasized the need for accountability and punishment based on the findings revealed through the committee's work, advocating for a special prosecutor to investigate further. He remarked, "It has become clear that the prosecution manipulated the investigation and prosecution, using Lee Hwa-young as a scapegoat to eliminate political opponents. We will discuss this with the party leadership and proceed with the special prosecutor's investigation as the new assembly convenes."
However, Seo refrained from directly answering questions regarding the 'authority to dismiss charges' included in the proposed special prosecutor bill, stating, "We will discuss this with the party leadership and ensure that the legislative and judicial committees pass the necessary bills."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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