Former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Deputy Minister Yoo Dong-kyu, who appeared as a witness for Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, shouted at Lee, saying, "Don't glare at me," prompting a brief interruption in the trial.
The 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Director General Kim Dong-hyun) held a hearing on the 'Daejang-dong, Wiryeseong, Seongnam FC, and Baekhyeondong allegations' on the 7th. On this day, the defense conducted a cross-examination of former Deputy Minister Yoo.
During the questioning regarding the Daejang-dong project bid, former Deputy Minister Yoo directed his remarks at Lee, stating, "Aren't you trying to pin this on me?" He claimed, "You're trying to frame it as 'Yoo Dong-kyu did everything, and Daejang-dong was all you and Kim Man-bae.'"
As former Deputy Minister Yoo continued to gaze at Lee, the presiding judge intervened, saying, "Are you two having a staring contest? Don't look at each other." In response, former Deputy Minister Yoo argued, "(Lee) glared at me, and I merely looked back," adding, "Most people would tremble at the mention of Lee Jae-myung, but I'm not scared at all. You're ridiculous."
When former Deputy Minister Yoo raised his voice, saying he was "not even human," the judge declared a 15-minute recess. After the trial resumed, Yoo stated, "One of the defendants has the highest power in South Korea, and the other is his right-hand man," and questioned, "Would ordinary people dare to participate in this trial?"
The judge then admonished, "Please refrain from your comments; isn't this turning the trial into a political issue?" He also noted that if the same issue persisted, measures would be taken to install partitions in the courtroom or to ensure that the defendants and Yoo's gaze did not meet through monitors.
Lee's side protested, saying, "We would rather have separate arguments in the absence of the defendant for a fair trial," stating that it is itself unfair to be subjected to unwarranted personal insults.