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South Korea's Supreme Court Retrial and Trial-Suspension Bill Shape Presidential Election

Lee Jae-myung's candidacy faces uncertainty as the Seoul High Court schedules a retrial and the Democratic Party pushes legislation to shield president-elects from ongoing trials.

The National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee holds a plenary meeting in Seoul on May 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung (C) answers reporters' questions during a visit to a traditional market in Inje, 165 kilometers east of Seoul, on May 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
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Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung makes a speech at the National Assembly in western Seoul on April 30, 2025. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • The Supreme Court overturned Lee Jae-myung's acquittal on election law violations and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court for retrial, with the first hearing set for May 15.
  • The Democratic Party introduced a bill to suspend criminal trials for president-elects, citing concerns over executive functionality and judicial neutrality during a presidency.
  • The People Power Party opposes the bill, alleging it is tailored to protect Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's leading presidential candidate.
  • If the retrial concludes with a fine exceeding 1 million won, Lee would be barred from running for office for five years, but no verdict before the June 3 election would allow his candidacy to proceed.
  • The Democratic Party aims to fast-track the trial-suspension bill through parliamentary subcommittees and a plenary session next week, intensifying political tensions.