The Seoul High Court's Criminal Chamber 6-2 (Judge Choi Eun-jung) acquitted Lee, who was indicted on charges of publicizing false information under the Public Official Election Act, after reversing the first trial, which sentenced him to one year in prison and two years of probation. It has been 131 days since the first trial was sentenced on November 15 last year. It is the first second trial decision out of the five trials Lee is receiving. Immediately after the sentence, CEO Lee said, "I would like to thank the court for making a proper judgment based on the truth," adding, "I hope the prosecution will also look back on their actions." It's a must-have." Representative Lee also said, "It is truly absurd that the national capacity has been exhausted in bringing out these natural things."
If the ruling is confirmed by the Supreme Court, Lee will retain his parliamentary seat and will not be restricted from running for president in the future. The court deadline for Supreme Court rulings in cases of election law violations is June 26.
In a broadcast interview during the 2021 presidential election, Lee said, "I did not know the late Kim Moon-ki, director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation when I was mayor of Seongnam," and attended a parliamentary audit and said, "The increase in the use of Baekhyeon-dong land was due to threats from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport," and was charged with publicizing false information under the Public Official Election Act in September 2022.
Among Lee's remarks, the first trial court found him guilty of false statements about "I never played golf with Kim Moon-ki during a business trip to Australia" and threats from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. However, the appeals court found Kim Moon-ki not guilty of lying about his "Kim Moon-ki Golf" remarks, saying that it is difficult to see him as lying about not playing golf, and that photos do not provide evidence to support golf. Baekhyun-dong's remarks were an expression of opinion and were considered not to be a publication of false information. The remarks on the threat from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport may also be exaggerated, but it is difficult to conclude that they are false.
The case was appealed by the prosecution, which led to the Supreme Court. However, since the Supreme Court is a legal trial, not a factual one, it is unlikely to be mixed with the judgment of the second trial.
Kwon Sung-dong, floor leader of the People's Power Party, said shortly after the court was sentenced, "I am deeply sorry," adding, "I don't understand how Lee can be acquitted of the same issue when numerous politicians have lost their political lives due to the announcement of false facts."
[Reporter Kang Minwoo / Reporter Seo Dongchul / Reporter Kim Myunghwan]
