DPK leader to strengthen grip on party following court's acquittal

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, center, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is surrounded by his supporters as he exits the Seoul High Court in southern Seoul, Wednesday, after being acquitted of violating the Public Official Election Act. Yonhap

With Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), acquitted Wednesday in his appellate trial on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, political analysts say the ruling will help him strengthen his grip on the main opposition party — for now.

However, they caution that his legal risks are still not over and that the impact of the verdict will largely depend on how public sentiment shifts, particularly in response to the Constitutional Court’s impending ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. Experts suggest it is still too early to determine whether the decision will ultimately benefit Lee.

However, if Yoon’s impeachment is upheld by the Constitutional Court, leading to an early presidential election, there would be no immediate obstacles preventing Lee from running as the DPK’s presidential candidate.

"DPK leader Lee is now set to tighten his grip on the political landscape. However, the key factor to watch is how major political events will unfold, particularly the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon’s impeachment," Eom Kyeong-young, director of the Zeitgeist Institute, told The Korea Times Wednesday.

He emphasized that the public's reception to the court's verdict and shifts in public opinion will also be crucial.

"Although Lee was acquitted, it’s important to monitor how the public responds and whether this ultimately benefits him. The key factor will be how public sentiment evolves depending on the outcome of Yoon’s impeachment, whether it is upheld or dismissed," Eom said.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, right, waves to supporters as he exits the Seoul High Court in southern Seoul, Wednesday, after being acquitted of violating the Public Official Election Act. Joint Press Corps

Other political analysts caution that while Lee’s situation has improved with the removal of his most immediate legal hurdle, his legal troubles are far from over.

Lee is still facing other legal cases. Including this election law violation case, Lee is being indicted in a total of eight legal cases, five of which are underway. These cases include his perjury case, a trial related to allegations of North Korea-linked remittances, corruption cases surrounding city development plans and the misuse of a local government credit card for personal expenses.

"For now, Lee’s position has strengthened, and his situation has improved with the removal of his most immediate legal threat. However, multiple trials still loom over him. Also, even though he was acquitted in this appellate trial, prosecutors may appeal to the Supreme Court. While his legal troubles aren’t over, this verdict gives him a temporary reprieve," said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University.

Meanwhile, as Shin predicted, the prosecutors announced later in the evening their intention to bring the case to the Supreme Court to fight the appellate court's ruling.

"The appellate court's ruling is considered to be a judgment that is completely disconnected from the general public's perception of the defendant's statements, and it does not align with common sense or established experience," the prosecutors' office stated. "It is judged that the appellate court misinterpreted the legal principles concerning the crime of spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act. The prosecution plans to file an appeal, intending for the Supreme Court to correct the errors of the appellate court's ruling."