The Seoul High Court, which is in charge of the second trial regarding Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea's 'perjury inducement' charge, decided to hold formal hearings to determine guilt or innocence once each in May and June before issuing a ruling. The first hearing is scheduled for May 20, and the second hearing will take place on June 3. The date for the second trial ruling has not yet been set. Previously, Lee was acquitted in the first trial of this case.
The Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul High Court, which is handling this appeal trial (Director General Lee Seung-han, Park Jeong-woon, and Yoo Je-min), has conducted only two preparatory hearings so far. During the preparatory hearings, only issues and evidence are organized, and no determination of guilt or innocence is made. There is no obligation for the defendant to appear, and therefore, Lee did not come to court.
The court stated at the conclusion of the second preparatory hearing on the 1st, "(In the future) the hearing dates will be divided into two sessions, and final arguments will be made at the second hearing date, concluding the trial," adding, "The first date will be held on May 20, and the second date will be held on June 3."
Lee was previously fined for impersonating a prosecutor but was indicted without detention for allegedly requesting false testimony from witness Kim Jin-seong during the trial process, where he was charged with publicly disseminating false facts, claiming he was 'framed' during the 2018 Gyeonggi gubernatorial election debate.
The court plans to hear the prosecution's reasons for appeal and Lee's side during the first hearing on May 20. Furthermore, it is decided that the prosecution's sentencing and final arguments will be conducted during the second hearing on June 3.
A legal expert noted, "Generally, after the conclusion of arguments, a ruling is made about a month later," adding, "Lee's second trial ruling on the perjury inducement charge could come as early as early July."