Overview

• The Suwon District Court held the fourth preparatory hearing at 4:30 p.m. on July 1 as planned.
• During that session the court decided to suspend scheduling of further proceedings on Lee’s embezzlement charges without setting a date to resume the main trial.
• The court cited Lee’s need to devote himself fully to fulfilling his presidential duties and ensuring continuity in state affairs as its justification.
• Under South Korea’s Criminal Procedure Code, preparatory and main proceedings are treated separately, permitting the former to continue despite a pause to the main trial.
• Lee’s other criminal cases include election-law and development-corruption charges, both suspended, and an alleged North Korea remittance case still awaiting preparatory proceedings.