Last Wednesday, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was acquitted on appeal of charges related to publishing false information under the Public Official Election Act, a judgment that was a shock to many Koreans. The court ruled that even though Lee had made significant false statements, his remarks could not be legally punished because they were made during a live broadcast, pertained to perception rather than specific actions and constituted general impressions or opinions. This judgment essentially means that politicians can legally lie during the public election process.

Some observers remarked sarcastically that the key part of the verdict acquitting Lee was incomprehensible no matter how many times they read it. They argued that the judgment, which separates perception from action, resembles surrealist alien science fiction rather than a legal ruling based on common sense.

The DPK brazenly used the term “justice” to describe the court's acquittal as if it were the realization of true judicial fairness. It is incomprehensible how Lee has managed to evade his serious legal risks so far. Is he a son of God?

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law was a reckless and misguided act. However, in assessing the overall dynamics of the Dec. 3 martial law incident, which has effectively thrown Korean society into a state of near political anarchy for several months, one cannot overlook the actions of Lee, the leader of the opposition party. He is an indispensable figure in evaluating the aftermath of Yoon’s martial law declaration. Would it be an exaggeration to say that Lee has taken........

© The Korea Times