First Court Hearing for Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak

The first court hearing was held yesterday for Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak (in photon). Mayor Lee is indicted for violation of the election law during his campaign in the mayoral race last year.

Criminal Division 23 of the Seoul District Court, a three-judge panel, presided over the hearing. During the examination, the district attorneys grilled him and asked, for example, "Isn`t it true that you knew illegal distribution of various materials for public relations purposes?" Lee categorically denied the charge and said, "That is not true. I knew nothing about it."

Lee argued, "I relegated all the authorities to staff members as to distribution of my biography and promotions. I`d never directed them to distribute any material for public relations purposes."

Prior to the hearing, Lee`s attorneys filed a motion for continuance with the court, alleging, "We did not have enough time to consult our client as to the indictment." But the court rejected the motion, holding, "The court is bound by law to render a judgment within 6 months in a case involving violation of the election law."

In the courtroom, about 30 of Lee`s friends and aids were on hand. A person supporting Mayor Lee shouted during hearing at the prosecution, and got scolded by the judge.

Mayor Lee is suspected of having his campaign worker Shin Hok-soo (44, now indicted and detained) distribute, free of charge, 5,000 copies of his biography "When People Talk about Despair, I Still See the Light" to local and central offices of Grand National Party for public relations purposes from January to March, last year. In addition, he is accused of having sold 2,70 copies of the book to parishioners of a church only for 50-75% of its price, or 9,000 won.

The prosecution subpoenaed Mayor Lee six times last December to no avail. With the deadline for indictment coming up, the DA`s Office, without questioning Lee in person, indicted him for violation of the election law.

Next hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on February 6.

Jin-Kyun Kil leon@donga.com