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South Korean Supreme Court to Rule on Lee Jae-myung Election Case Ahead of Presidential Vote

The expedited verdict, scheduled for Thursday, seeks to clarify the front-runner's eligibility before the June 3 election under strict legal deadlines.

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung makes a speech at the National Assembly in western Seoul on April 30, 2025. (Yonhap)
The Supreme Court (Yonhap)

Overview

  • The Supreme Court of Korea will deliver its final ruling on Lee Jae-myung's election law appeal on Thursday at 3 p.m., just nine days after beginning its review.
  • Legal experts describe the court's accelerated timeline as highly unusual but necessary to address candidate eligibility concerns before the June 3 presidential election.
  • The case centers on allegations that Lee violated the Public Official Election Act, which imposes a 10-year ban from public office for convictions with fines exceeding 1 million won.
  • Chief Justice Jo Hee-de convened a full-bench review due to the high public interest and the potential impact on the presidential race, where Lee is currently leading in polls.
  • If convicted, Lee would lose his eligibility to run for office, while an acquittal would clear him of all charges, with the ruling coming ahead of the May 11 candidate registration deadline.