Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung

Seoul

South Korea’s Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that it will deliver its ruling later this week in the high-profile election law violation case involving Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung. The ruling is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, just four days after Lee secured a decisive victory in the DP primary for the June 3 presidential election.

The case stems from allegations that Lee lied during his 2022 presidential campaign a charge that was previously dismissed by a high court, overturning an earlier suspended prison sentence. Prosecutors have appealed the acquittal, pushing the case into the hands of the Supreme Court. This ruling represents a critical legal moment for Lee, a human rights lawyer-turned-politician, who is widely seen as the front-runner in the upcoming election.

His legal troubles have cast a shadow over his campaign, though his overwhelming primary win has further consolidated his political standing. Lee captured 89.77% of all votes in the DP primary, the highest ever recorded since South Korea’s democratic transition in 1987. His platform emphasizes economic recovery and includes an openness to renewed dialogue with North Korea. Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon came in a distant second with 6.87%, followed by former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo with 3.36%.

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Lee’s legal hurdle looms over campaign

The Supreme Court’s verdict could significantly impact Lee Jae-myung’s campaign trajectory. While he has avoided a runoff by securing a dominant majority, a conviction could disqualify him or damage public confidence. Political analysts say the timing of the ruling so close to the June election adds to the unpredictability of South Korea’s political landscape.