What Will the Supreme Court Decide on DP Candidate Lee Jae-myung's Election Law Case?

Synopsis
The Supreme Court of South Korea is poised to rule on a significant election law case involving presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung. As the front-runner for the June 3 election, this decision could impact his political future. Stay tuned as we explore the implications of this ruling.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court ruling on Lee Jae-myung's case due Thursday.
- Lee secured 89.77% of votes in the DP primary.
- Legal challenges could impact Lee's candidacy.
- Election scheduled for June 3, critical for South Korea's future.
- RKP's endorsement strengthens Lee's position.
Seoul, April 29 (NationPress) The Supreme Court of South Korea announced on Tuesday that it will deliver a verdict on the election law violation case involving Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party (DP), later this week.
The ruling is set for 3 p.m. on Thursday, just four days after Lee secured victory in the DP's primary for the upcoming presidential election on June 3.
This announcement follows an appeal from prosecutors against a high court decision made last month that found Lee not guilty of deceitful conduct during the 2022 election campaign, thereby overturning a lower court's suspended prison sentence.
This case represents a significant legal challenge for Lee, who is viewed as the leading candidate for the forthcoming presidential election.
Having garnered 89.77 percent of the votes in the party's primary, Lee has achieved the highest percentage recorded among DP-affiliated candidates since South Korea's transition to democracy in 1987. His main focus is on economic recovery and he has expressed willingness to engage in discussions with North Korea.
Coming in second was Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, securing 6.87 percent, while Kim Kyung-soo, a former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, received 3.36 percent.
In his acceptance speech, Lee stated, “I will humbly fulfill the responsibility of achieving national unity, which is both the mission of politics and the president's top priority.”
In the 2022 election, Lee narrowly lost to former President Yoon Suk Yeol by just 0.73 percentage points. The presidential election is set for June 3.
Furthermore, the minor opposition party, Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), has officially endorsed Lee Jae-myung.
“We declare that Lee is not only the DP's candidate but also the candidate supported by our party. We will dedicate all our efforts to ensure Lee's overwhelming victory,” stated acting leader Kim Sun-min in a press release.
Lee is considered the front-runner for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for June 3, following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol due to his unexpected declaration of martial law.