February 26th 2025.
In the bustling city of Seoul, the political scene was heating up as prosecutors demanded a two-year prison sentence for opposition leader Lee Jae-myung. This was due to allegations that he had lied during his presidential campaign in 2022. Lee, who is a member of the Democratic Party, has been gaining popularity and is considered a top contender for the presidency if the current president's impeachment is upheld. However, if Lee's sentence is confirmed by the lower court, he would be barred from running in the next presidential election in 2027.
The accusations against Lee stem from a media interview he gave in December 2021, where he claimed to not know the late Kim Moon-ki, a former executive of Seongnam Development Corp. This company was involved in a corruption scandal surrounding a development project in Seongnam, a city south of Seoul, during Lee's time as Mayor. The prosecution argued that Lee's lie about his relationship with Kim was a deliberate attempt to distort voters' choices and thus, deserved a heavy punishment.
The final hearing of Lee's appellate trial took place on the day, and the prosecution reiterated their stance, demanding a strict punishment for the opposition leader. According to Yonhap news agency, the verdict for Lee is expected to be announced in late March. As Lee arrived at the Seoul High Court for the session, he expressed confidence in the court's decision, stating, "The court will make the right judgment... In the ways of the world, everything is bound to flow in the direction of common sense and principles."
However, this is not the only accusation against Lee. During a parliamentary audit in October 2021, he was also accused of lying about being pressured by the land ministry to rezone a former site of the Korea Food Research Institute in Seongnam. Allegations were raised that Lee had favored a private developer by rezoning the land for apartment complexes. In November, a lower court found him guilty of this offense and sentenced him to a one-year prison term, which was suspended.
The outcome of Lee's current trial will have a significant impact on his political career and the upcoming presidential election. As the court prepares to make its decision, all eyes are on the verdict, which is expected to be announced in late March. The future of Lee Jae-myung hangs in the balance, and the people of South Korea eagerly await the outcome.
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