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South Korea's Supreme Court Accelerates Review of Lee Jae-myung's Election Case

With the June 3 snap presidential election approaching, the court's swift proceedings could influence the race's outcome.

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Acting President Han Duck-soo delivers a budget speech at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 24, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • The Supreme Court's full bench, led by Chief Justice Jo Hee-de, is expediting its review of Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case, with a second hearing scheduled just two days after the first.
  • Lee's case stems from allegedly false statements made during a 2021 interview about his knowledge of a figure involved in the Daejang-dong land scandal.
  • If the Supreme Court delivers a ruling before the election, it could significantly impact Lee's campaign, though a final verdict before June 3 is considered unlikely.
  • The People Power Party (PPP) has advanced four candidates, including Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon, to the next round of its presidential primary, with the final nominee to be decided on May 3.
  • Opinion polls show Lee Jae-myung leading the race with 50.2% support, while the PPP grapples with internal divisions following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.