The Seoul High Court reversed the first trial and acquitted Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, of violating the Public Official Election Act during the appeal trial on the 26th, creating a stark divide in the atmosphere among the assembled crowds near the courthouse. Supporters of Lee danced and cheered, with some shedding tears of joy. In contrast, participants from conservative groups lamented, pounding the ground and saying, "How can this be?" Lee was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of probation in the first trial.
◇Supporters of Lee Jae-myung embrace each other and cheer, confident in the acquittal
The pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) group "The Queen of the Munyeong Family" occupied about 90 meters of the sidewalk and roadway in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office from 9 a.m. that day and held a rally advocating for Lee's acquittal. By the time the verdict for Lee was announced, more than 1,000 people had gathered there.
After the appeal trial for Lee began at 2 p.m., news spread that the court ruled that statements like "I did not know the late Kim Moon-ki, who was a key executive during the Seongnam mayor's term" and "I never golfed with him during overseas trips" did not constitute the publication of false facts. Upon hearing this, Lee's supporters cheered. They shouted, "The final victory is just around the corner" and "Lee Jae-myung is innocent."
The rally moderator reported that the court determined regarding the statement of 'Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport intimidation' that while it could be seen as an exaggeration of significant pressure, it could not be considered false, and thus did not qualify as the publication of false facts. In response, Lee's supporters, confident in the acquittal, embraced each other and cheered.
When the moderator said, "The suffering of the past has been compensated with an acquittal," the crowd erupted in cheers. Mr. Im, 45, expressed, "I hope only good things happen for Lee from now on," and added, "Now only the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-youl remains."
◇Supporters of Lee Jae-myung and conservative group participants disperse without conflict
Between Seocho Station and GyoDae Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, a rally was held by the conservative YouTube channel "Shinui Hansu" and the conservative group "Liberty Korea Union," calling for the immediate arrest of Lee Jae-myung. Approximately 700 people participated in the "Shinui Hansu" rally, while the "Liberty Korea Union" rally saw around 250 participants.
In contrast to Lee's supporters, upon hearing the appeal court's ruling, participants at the rally comforted each other, saying, "It's okay, the right will ultimately win" and "Lee Jae-myung should be arrested immediately." When the ruling related to the 'Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport intimidation' was announced, they exclaimed, "How can this be?"
The moderator stated, "The court must be crushed," and that "the judiciary is also subject to the people's right to resistance." One participant shouted so loudly that their face turned red. Mr. Choi, 68, participating in the conservative group rally, claimed, "If Lee Jae-myung is innocent, they might as well open the prison. If Lee is not a criminal, then no one in the world is a criminal."
That day, there were no clashes between the two sides. The moderator of the conservative group that dispersed earlier guided the crowds to avoid confrontation. The police deployed 1,100 personnel from 17 units in preparation for emergencies such as clashes.