Lee Jae-myung 'Niece and Mother Murder Case' Bereaved Family's Compensation Lawsuit Verdict in January Next Year

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The verdict in the 100 million won damages lawsuit filed by the victim who lost their family in a murder case committed by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, in 2006, will be announced in January next year.

On the 10th, Judge Lee Yoo-hyung of the Civil Division 28 at the Seoul Central District Court concluded the trial of the lawsuit filed by the victim's family member A against Lee and set the verdict announcement date for January 12 next year.

A’s representative stated, "In the defendant’s (Lee’s) nephew’s defense 16 years ago, it was emphasized that ‘he was once close to the victim,’ and they argued for a reduced sentence," adding, "This contradicts Lee’s claim on social media before the last presidential election that ‘being once close is a reason to increase responsibility, not to reduce it,’ causing the plaintiff severe mental distress."

They also emphasized, "The defendant has not directly expressed an apology for 16 years," and "Although the representative submitted a written apology, it is appropriate for the defendant himself to apologize directly."

On the other hand, Lee’s representative argued that the defendant did not distort the case, noting that during the presidential election, Lee referred to it not as ‘dating violence’ but as a ‘serious dating violence crime.’

They further claimed, "In the post Lee wrote on social media, there is a statement offering ‘condolences and apologies to the victim and the bereaved family,’" and "This clearly shows it was written for consolation and apology, so defamation does not apply."

Lee’s nephew visited the house of his girlfriend in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, in May 2006 and stabbed his ex-girlfriend and her mother multiple times with a weapon, killing them. The Supreme Court confirmed a life sentence. At that time, A escaped by jumping from the veranda of a fifth-floor apartment, sustaining serious injuries.

Lee served as the defense attorney in the first and second trials of his nephew, the perpetrator, and reportedly argued for a reduced sentence on the grounds of ‘diminished mental capacity.’

Regarding this, Lee mentioned before the presidential election, "One of my relatives committed a serious dating violence crime in the past, and since the family could not afford to hire a lawyer, I, the only lawyer in the family, had no choice but to take on the defense."

In response, A filed a damages lawsuit worth 100 million won in December last year, claiming mental distress caused by Lee referring to his nephew’s murder case as ‘dating violence’ on social media.

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