Lee Wan-gyu Refuses Witness Oath as Choo Mi-ae Faces Possible Legal Action Under Increase/Decrease Law: Expert Analysis

Here’s a breakdown of the HTML code provided, focusing on the image-related parts and their styling:

Overall Structure

The code snippet shows two <figure> elements, each containing an image and a caption. They are part of a larger article layout,as indicated by surrounding <div> elements with classes like figure-box,figure-box-layer,and clear.

Key Elements and Attributes

* <figure>: A semantic HTML element used to group content (image and caption) as a self-contained unit.
* <img>: The actual image tag.
* alt: Provides choice text for the image (important for accessibility).
* loading="lazy": Enables lazy loading, meaning the image is loaded only when it’s near the viewport, improving page load performance.
* width and height: Specify the image dimensions.
* decoding="async": Hints to the browser to decode the image asynchronously, which can improve performance.
* data-nimg="1": Likely a custom attribute used by a Next.js image optimization system.
* class="rounded-3 rounded-m-3 img-fluid3": Adds CSS classes for rounded corners and responsive behavior.
* style: Inline styles that are crucial for the image display.
* src: The actual URL of the image (“https://image.news1.kr/system/photos/2025/10/24/7560698/high.jpg/dims/optimize” and “https://image.news1.kr/system/photos/2025/10/24/7560984/high.jpg/dims/optimize”).
* data-src: the source of the image, used when the image is lazy loaded.

* <figcaption>: Contains the image caption.
* class="img-caption": Adds a CSS class for styling the caption.
* style="max-width:1400px": Limits the width of the caption.

* Inline Styles (within the <img> tag): This is where the core of the image styling happens.
* color:obvious;: Makes the image color transparent.
* object-fit:cover;: This is vrey critically important. It tells the image to fill the container while maintaining its aspect ratio. Parts of the image might be clipped if the container’s aspect ratio is different from the image’s.
* background-size:cover;: Similar to object-fit: cover, but applies to the background image.
* background-position:50% 50%;: Centers the background image within its container.
* background-repeat:no-repeat;: Prevents the background image from tiling.
* background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,..."): This is the most unusual part. Instead of a regular image URL, it’s a data URI containing an SVG. This SVG appears to be a blurred, slightly transparent placeholder. The real image (src) loads on top of this placeholder. The placeholder is likely used as a fallback or a visual cue while the actual image is loading.This technique is sometimes used to prevent layout shifts during image loading (Cumulative Layout Shift – CLS).

* <svg> (fullscreen icon):

* This is a small SVG icon that appears to represent a fullscreen button for the image.
* class="bi bi-arrows-fullscreen article-photo-fullscreen border-radius-5": These classes provide styling and functionality, potentially for making the image fullscreen when clicked.

In Summary

The code displays images with captions. The key styling features include:

* Responsive images: img-fluid3 and dimension attributes suggest the image scales to fit its container.
* Rounded corners: rounded-3 and rounded-m-3 class.
* object-fit: cover: Ensures images fill their containers without distortion, potentially cropping parts of the image.
* Placeholder with SVG: A clever technique using an SVG as a background image to provide a visual fallback and reduce layout shifts during image loading.
* Fullscreen functionality: The SVG icon likely enables a fullscreen view of the image.

The use of the data URI for the SVG background is a bit unconventional but can be effective for performance and visual stability.

What potential legal ramifications does Lee Wan-gyu face due to his refusal to take the witness oath, and how might this impact the investigation?

The Refusal and Its Immediate Implications

Lee Wan-gyu, a key figure in the 2020 general election controversy, has refused to take the witness oath in connection with allegations surrounding former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. This refusal centers around potential violations of the Public Official Election Act, specifically the “increase/decrease law” (선거법 부정경쟁방지 및 공정화에 관한 법률), which prohibits actions intended to influence election results through manipulation of public opinion or voter turnout. The core of the issue revolves around allegations that instructions were given to strategically manage investigations to benefit the ruling party during the lead-up to the election.

Lee Wan-gyu’s refusal to swear in as a witness considerably complicates the investigation. Under South Korean law, refusing a lawful summons and oath can lead to contempt of court charges, possibly resulting in fines or even imprisonment. This act promptly raises questions about his motivations and what information he may be attempting to protect. Legal experts suggest this could be interpreted as an admission of guilt or a fear of self-incrimination.

Understanding the Increase/Decrease Law & Choo Mi-ae’s Position

The “increase/decrease law” is a critical component of South Korea’s election integrity framework. It aims to prevent unfair advantages gained through manipulating public sentiment or voter participation. Specifically, it targets actions that could artificially inflate support for a candidate or suppress opposition support.

Choo Mi-ae, as Justice Minister at the time, held significant authority over the prosecution.Allegations against her claim she directed the prosecution to prioritize certain investigations while downplaying others, allegedly to benefit candidates from the Democratic party. These claims, if proven, would constitute a violation of the increase/decrease law.

* Key Allegations:

* Suppression of investigations into individuals linked to the ruling party.

* Prioritization of investigations targeting opposition figures.

* Instructions to manage the timing and scope of investigations to influence public perception.

Expert Legal Perspectives on Lee Wan-gyu’s Decision

several legal analysts have weighed in on Lee Wan-gyu’s decision.Professor Kim Min-soo of Seoul National University Law School stated, “Mr. Lee’s refusal is highly unusual and suggests he possesses information that is damaging to those involved. While he has a right to remain silent, refusing the oath carries its own legal consequences.”

Other experts highlight the potential for a domino effect. If lee Wan-gyu is compelled to testify – either through legal pressure or a change of heart – his testimony could implicate other high-ranking officials. The prosecution is likely to pursue all available legal avenues to secure his cooperation, including contempt of court proceedings.

Potential Legal Ramifications for Choo Mi-ae

Choo mi-ae faces a range of potential legal consequences if the allegations against her are substantiated. These include:

1. Indictment: The prosecution could formally indict her on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.
2. Criminal Penalties: Conviction could result in imprisonment and a significant fine. The severity of the penalties would depend on the extent of her alleged involvement and the impact of her actions.
3. Disqualification from Public Office: A conviction would likely disqualify her from holding any future public office.
4. Damage to Political Reputation: Even if not convicted, the ongoing investigation and public scrutiny will undoubtedly damage her political standing.

The Role of Witness Testimony in Election Law Cases

Witness testimony is paramount in cases involving election law violations. Establishing intent – proving that actions were deliberately taken to influence the election outcome – frequently enough relies heavily on firsthand accounts. Lee Wan-gyu, as a former high-ranking prosecutor, is considered a crucial witness due to his potential access to internal communications and decision-making processes.

* Challenges in Gathering Evidence: Election law cases are frequently enough complex and require meticulous gathering of evidence, including documents, emails, and witness statements.

* The Importance of Credibility: the credibility of witnesses is a critical factor in determining the outcome of the case. Any inconsistencies or biases in their testimony can be exploited by the defense.

Past Precedents: Similar Cases in South Korean Politics

South Korea has a history of legal battles surrounding election integrity. Several past cases involved allegations of political interference in investigations.

* 2012 Presidential Election Controversy: Allegations of hacking and manipulation of voter databases led to investigations and legal challenges.

* 2016 National Assembly Election: Concerns about illegal campaigning and vote-buying resulted in several indictments and convictions.

These past cases demonstrate the seriousness with which South Korean authorities treat election law violations and the potential for significant consequences for those involved. The current case involving Choo mi-ae and Lee Wan-gyu is attracting significant public attention due to the high-profile individuals involved and the potential implications for the country’s democratic processes.