Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae called a court ruling that found the so-called "salmon drinking party" allegations raised by former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young to be false "truly regrettable and strange."
Speaking at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly on Monday, Jung said the ruling was one he "simply cannot accept or acknowledge," despite the party's customary stance of respecting judicial decisions.
He said a prison guard had testified to smelling alcohol and that media outlets had reported circumstantial evidence of drinking. He added that the Ministry of Justice's special inspection team had produced an investigation report confirming signs of the alleged drinking party.
"I express deep regret toward the court, which handed down a guilty verdict even after examining the Ministry of Justice's investigation report and food purchase records to determine whether food had actually been brought in and whether such circumstances existed," he said.
Jung said he hoped the appeals court would reach a different conclusion than the first-instance ruling.
The Suwon District Court's Criminal Division 11, presided over by Judge Song Byeong-hun, sentenced Lee on Saturday to four months in prison at a jury trial sentencing hearing. She was found guilty of perjury under the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly for raising the "salmon drinking party" allegations.
Jung also said he "fully agrees" with President Lee Jae Myung's call for a limited constitutional reform aimed at establishing external oversight of the National Election Commission, following a shortage of ballots.
"To correct the violation of citizens' right to political participation and rebuild a trustworthy election management system, we must explore every possible measure available," he said.
bigroot@heraldcorp.com
