South Korean court overturns opposition leader’s election conviction Paving the way for presidential bid

An appeals court in South Korea has overturned an election law conviction against opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, clearing the path for him to potentially mount a presidential campaign.

The court’s ruling comes at a critical juncture in the political landscape, with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s future uncertain after his controversial martial law decree in December, which led to his impeachment by the National Assembly, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

Lee, leader of the Democratic Party, the country’s main liberal opposition, narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon, but now stands as a leading contender to replace him. Yoon, a conservative, has been suspended from office since his impeachment, and the Constitutional Court is currently deliberating on whether to formally dismiss or reinstate him. If Yoon is removed, a new election will be held within two months.

The Seoul High Court’s decision on March 26 overturned Lee’s previous conviction for making false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign. The court annulled his suspended sentence of one year in prison. Despite the victory, Lee still faces four other ongoing criminal trials, none of which are expected to be resolved soon.

Lee was originally convicted by the Seoul Central District Court in November for allegedly making false claims about a controversial land development project he launched while serving as mayor. The conviction also involved his relationship with a subordinate who took his own life amid a scandal involving another development project.

Under South Korean law, individuals who receive a fine exceeding 1 million won (approximately $683) for election law violations are prohibited from running for office for five years. Those who receive a prison sentence, including suspended sentences, are barred from running for 10 years. While Lee’s conviction was overturned, the prohibition on running would not take effect until all appeals are exhausted. As president, Lee would also be immune from most criminal prosecution.

If the appeals court had upheld the conviction, it would have posed a significant obstacle to Lee’s political ambitions. After the ruling, Lee thanked the court for its "right ruling based on truth and justice," as his supporters cheered outside the courthouse. He accused the Yoon government and state prosecutors of fabricating evidence against him.

The court has given prosecutors seven days to appeal the ruling to South Korea’s Supreme Court, the final arbiter on the matter.

In response to the ruling, the People Power Party, Yoon’s ruling conservative party, expressed strong regret, urging the Supreme Court to quickly make a decision on any appeal.

By Tamilla Hasanova