Court, Police, Ethics Committee... Countdown Begins to Decide Lee Jun-seok's Political Fate

Dismissal of Injunction and Emergence of Criminal Evidence Make Party Leader's Return Difficult; Worst Case Is Expulsion
Injunction Hearing Scheduled This Week, Police Summons Planned... Lee to Appear in Person

Lee Jun-seok, Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] The political fate of former People Power Party (PPP) leader Lee Jun-seok, who has been continuing an off-site public opinion battle, is expected to be decided this month. Following the court hearing scheduled for the 14th regarding Lee's injunction application, police investigations into allegations of sexual bribery and additional disciplinary discussions by the party's Central Ethics Committee are also expected to conclude by September. Lee has shown his determination to confront the crisis head-on by continuing his offensive against the party.

Earlier this month, Lee filed an injunction with the court opposing the launch of the PPP's new emergency committee. Despite the injunction partially being granted on the 26th of last month, which suspended the duties of then-Emergency Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young, the party's re-establishment of the emergency committee is claimed to violate the court's decision. The additional injunction seeks to suspend the effectiveness of the party constitution amendment, the appointment of Emergency Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok, and the resolution of the National Committee that decided on the execution of duties. The court accepted the PPP's request to change the hearing date and will hold a hearing on the suspension of the party constitution amendment's effectiveness on the 14th, and a hearing on the injunction to suspend the appointment and execution of duties of the emergency committee on the 28th.

If Lee's injunction is granted and the Jeong Jin-seok emergency committee system collapses, the PPP is expected to face significant turmoil. Conversely, Lee could strengthen his claim that the party leadership has taken excessive measures aimed at 'ousting Lee Jun-seok,' starting with his disciplinary actions. If the duties of the emergency committee chairman and members are suspended and a 'representative acting' system is established within the party, it is also evaluated that this could pave the way for Lee's return as party leader in January next year.

However, if the court dismisses the injunction, Lee's chances of returning as party leader could be effectively blocked. The PPP maintains that Lee was automatically dismissed with the launch of the Joo Ho-young emergency committee, so the next emergency committee is likely to operate as a 'management type' preparing for the party convention. However, on the 12th, Emergency Committee Chairman Jeong stated in an interview with TV Chosun that "it is not easy to carry out both the regular National Assembly session and the party convention simultaneously," dismissing the possibility of an early party convention.

Lee cannot avoid political damage depending on the results of the police investigation. The police are investigating Lee on four major charges: sexual bribery, mediation bribery, evidence destruction instruction, and false accusation. Among these, the statute of limitations for prostitution and mediation bribery charges are five and seven years respectively, making it likely that the investigation will be closed due to 'lack of prosecution rights.'

However, if evidence of crime related to the instruction of evidence destruction emerges, or if sexual bribery is confirmed and false accusation charges are applied, Lee, who has completely denied the allegations, would suffer a political blow. On the 13th, Kim Kwang-ho, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a press briefing, "We plan to summon him as soon as possible," and added, "If Lee properly attends, we will try to conclude the case as quickly as possible."

The Central Ethics Committee's decision on additional disciplinary action against Lee is also expected by the end of this month. After a party members' meeting on the 27th of last month, the PPP announced, "We strongly condemn and warn Lee Jun-seok for his humiliating remarks to party members such as 'double-faced' and 'new military regime,'" urging the Ethics Committee to impose additional discipline. In response, the Ethics Committee stated on the 1st, "We respect the decision of the party members' meeting," suggesting the possibility of additional disciplinary action against Lee.

In particular, if the police investigation reveals Lee's criminal acts, severe disciplinary measures beyond suspension of party membership could be decided. The PPP party regulations stipulate that party membership and positions must be immediately suspended for individuals indicted for sexual crimes or corruption, and that heavier disciplinary actions should be taken if additional grounds for discipline arise. With the Ethics Committee's full meeting scheduled for the 28th, it is widely expected that additional disciplinary measures against Lee will be discussed that day. Since severe disciplinary actions such as 'recommendation to leave the party' or 'expulsion' could hinder Lee's return, attention is focused on the Ethics Committee's decision.

Meanwhile, Lee showed he will not back down from legal battles with the party by filing a main lawsuit regarding the additional injunction on the 13th. Lee's legal team stated in a press release that "the essence of the prior injunction decision is that there is no emergency situation, so the transition to the emergency committee is invalid," and emphasized, "Lee has the right to return as party leader on January 9 next year." Lee is also known to plan to attend both the court injunction hearings and police summons scheduled for this week in person.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.