Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Supreme Court to rule on Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case Thursday
Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, leaves the Seoul Central District Court following a hearing on bribery allegations, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
The Supreme Court will deliver its ruling Thursday in an election law violation case involving liberal presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung — a decision that could determine the fate of his candidacy for the June 3 presidential election.
The court announced Tuesday that the verdict will be issued at 3 p.m. The case was submitted on March 28 and reviewed by the full bench on April 22 and 24.
Lee, who officially secured the presidential nomination of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Sunday, was indicted in September 2022 for violating election laws by allegedly making false statements during a previous presidential campaign.
The charges center on his public remarks about a high-profile land development project that happened during his time as mayor of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
In November 2024, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced him to one year in prison. However, the Seoul High Court overturned the ruling in March, acquitting him of all charges.
Under the Public Official Election Act, individuals convicted of violating election laws and fined more than 1 million won are barred from running for public office for 10 years.
The upcoming Supreme Court ruling is critical not only for Lee’s political fate but also for his party's prospects in the presidential race, as it comes just days before the official registration period for presidential candidates set for May 10 and 11.
Three scenarios regarding the ruling are possible.
First, the court could uphold the acquittal, clearing Lee of legal hurdles and allowing him to proceed with his campaign. Second, it could return the case to the appeals court for further deliberation with a guilty opinion, which would technically enable Lee to continue his candidacy while the court hearings proceed.
Third, the Supreme Court could directly issue a final ruling through a reversal ruling. But such direct rulings are extremely rare, legal observers say, as only one such judgment has been made in the last decade.