▲ Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae holds a sign featuring news articles about the "salmon and alcohol party" perjury conviction of former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young during a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on June 22.
Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae stated that the court's ruling that the so-called "salmon and alcohol party" allegations raised by former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young were false is "a truly regrettable and strange verdict."
During the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly today (June 22), Jung emphasized, "Although we have habitually said that we respect the judiciary's rulings, this time they have delivered a verdict that is impossible to accept or acknowledge."
He explained, "There are media reports that confirmed the circumstances of the drinking, including the testimony of a prison officer who said they smelled alcohol," adding that there is also an investigation report from the Ministry of Justice's special inspection team that confirmed the circumstances of the alleged party.
He added, "I express deep regret toward the court for reaching a guilty verdict despite examining the Ministry of Justice's investigation report and food purchase records, which show whether food was actually brought in and whether such circumstances existed."
He further stated, "I hope for a different judgment in the appellate court compared to the first trial."
Previously, the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Song Byeong-hun) sentenced Lee to four months in prison during a jury trial held two days ago for perjury (violation of the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly) regarding the "salmon and alcohol party" allegations.
Before concluding the meeting, Jung made additional remarks, pointing out, "Watching this Lee Hwa-young trial, I once again thought that the prosecution is a group that is truly beyond repair."
He claimed, "It is said that although the Ministry of Justice and the High Prosecutors' Office investigated this case, the materials were not submitted to the court," adding, "Could this be a collusion by the prosecution? I believe if these materials had been submitted, the verdict would have been not guilty."
He continued, "We must be firm with the prosecution, which is always looking for opportunities to protect its investigative powers, by telling them, 'Don't even dream about it,'" and warned, "If you give them even a spoon-sized supplementary investigation right, you never know when they might turn that spoon into a knife and point it at the administration."
Furthermore, he reiterated, "We must eliminate even the smallest shred of supplementary investigation rights," adding, "The final chapter of prosecution reform is the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.