Democratic Party Plans to File Charges Against Ssangbangwool... Min Hyung-bae Says There Is a 'Malicious Link' Between Prosecutors and Courts

Lee Jae-myung Indictment 'Leveraged' by Lee Hwa-young Verdict
Democratic Party Says "Cannot Accept" Lee Hwa-young Guilty Verdict
Park Gyun-taek to File Charges Against Ssangbangwool for Witness Tampering

The Democratic Party's Special Task Force (TF) on Political Prosecution and Case Fabrication announced that it will file a complaint against Ssangbangwool Group for the charge of instigating false testimony. The Democratic Party claims that Ssangbangwool's illegal remittances to North Korea were made to boost its own stock price, regardless of Gyeonggi Province. On the other hand, the first-instance court ruled, based on testimonies from Ssangbangwool's side, that "Ssangbangwool sent money to North Korea under the direction of former Gyeonggi Province Peace Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young." In response, the Democratic Party is raising objections to the ruling against former Deputy Governor Lee, including the announcement of a complaint against the former chairman of Ssangbangwool.

On the morning of the 13th, the Democratic Party held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office to express regret over the ruling against former Deputy Governor Lee. TF leader Min Hyung-bae said, "It seems that a 'malicious link' has been formed between the prosecution and the court," adding, "When political prosecutors fabricate cases and indict, the court accepts them, and the prosecution files additional indictments based on the court's rulings." He continued, "If the court did not make a political judgment, it is simply exposing its incompetence," and said, "It is unacceptable both legally and procedurally."

The Democratic Party's Special Task Force for Political Prosecution Case Fabrication (led by Min Hyung-bae) is holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the morning of the 13th. / Photo by Oh Ji-eun joy@

Former Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young received a heavy sentence of 9 years and 6 months in the first-instance ruling on the 'Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance' case on the 7th. This ruling served as a 'lever' for the indictment of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on the 12th on charges including bribery by a third party. Leader Lee was the governor of Gyeonggi Province when former Deputy Governor Lee worked there.

The TF argued that the testimonies of former Ssangbangwool chairman Kim Sung-tae and Ahn Bu-soo, which formed the basis of the ruling against former Deputy Governor Lee, cannot be accepted. TF member Park Seon-won stated at the press conference, "The testimonies of former Chairman Kim and Ahn contradict the contents of the agreement signed between Ssangbangwool and North Korea and the documents from the National Intelligence Service," adding, "Ahn's testimony was also changed during the trial." He continued, "According to facts reported after the ruling, Ssangbangwool provided an officetel to Ahn's daughter, after which Ahn's testimony changed," emphasizing, "It is judged that Ssangbangwool bribed Ahn."

TF member Park Gyun-taek told reporters after the conference, "We are considering filing a complaint against former Ssangbangwool chairman Kim Sung-tae and Ahn Bu-soo for instigating false testimony," adding, "We will discuss and submit the complaint under the TF's name within a few days." Instigating false testimony refers to making false statements in court with the intent to disadvantage the defendant, suspect, or person under disciplinary charges. It is a more serious crime than perjury, which is simply making false statements contrary to an oath.

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