South Korea’s upcoming presidential election faces significant disruption after leading candidate Lee Jae-myung was found guilty of violating election law by the nation’s Supreme Court on Thursday, Bloomberg reports.
The Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling by the Seoul High Court that had acquitted Lee of making false claims during his 2021 campaign for the 2022 presidential election. Chief Justice Jo Hee-de stated that the high court’s ruling was based on “a misunderstanding” of legal principles under the Public Official Election Act. The case has now been remanded to the high court for a final sentencing.
The legal proceedings have cast a shadow over Lee’s bid to become president in the June 3 election. While he is currently able to remain in the race as the legal process continues, a prison sentence or a fine exceeding 1 million won ($700) issued before the election date would disqualify him from running.
Lee, the former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, has secured his party’s nomination and currently holds a strong lead in national polls.
“The ruling has gone in a completely different direction from what I had expected,” Lee told reporters following the decision. “However, what matters most is that the law reflects the will of the people — and ultimately, it is the voice of the people that is most important.”
The political landscape shifted further when Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was also serving as acting president, resigned shortly after the court ruling. This move is widely seen as paving the way for Han’s expected presidential bid. Although Han currently trails Lee significantly in the polls, Thursday’s verdict could bolster his campaign as the race enters a crucial stage. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will serve as acting president in the interim, as mandated by law.
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