US EditionConviction of South Korean opposition leader is overturned
- On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, a South Korean appeals court reversed a lower court's ruling, finding main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung not guilty of violating election law.
- The case stemmed from a false claim Lee made during a 2021 parliamentary audit about a land development project in Seongnam, where he previously served as mayor, while running as a presidential candidate.
- The reversed ruling removes a significant barrier that could have blocked the 61-year-old Lee from running for president, as a conviction for violating election law can result in being barred from running for elections for at least five years and being stripped of their parliament seat.
- Lee stated the decision by the Seoul High Court completely vindicated him and proved the case was politically motivated, further adding that it was 'truly outrageous that all this energy and national resources were spent for what is an obvious outcome'.
- With Lee facing other trials related to bribery and a $1 billion property development scandal, and with President Yoon Suk yeol facing potential impeachment, South Korea may hold a snap election within 60 days, where opinion polls suggest Lee is a leading contender.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Conviction of South Korean Opposition Leader Is Overturned
SEOUL, South Korea—An appeals court in South Korea overturned an election law conviction against opposition leader Lee Jae-myung Wednesday, potentially clearing the way for him to mount a presidential campaign. The courtroom victory comes as the country’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol could face an early exit due to his short-lived imposition of martial law and surveys show Lee, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party who narr…
South Korean Justice annuls the conviction of oppositionist Lee Jae-myung and clears his way to the presidency
The Seoul High Court has ruled this Wednesday in favor of the appeal filed by the opposition leader of South Korea, Lee Jae-myung , who was indicted for alleged violations of the electoral law, charges that threatened a possible disqualification. This Wednesday’s resolution, on the contrary, opens a foreseeable path to the country’s presidency, still plunged into the deepest political crisis in decades. Lee had been found guilty of lying during …
In South Korea, Democratic leader Lee Jae-myung escapes a condemnation that would have mortgaged his chances of running for president
The president of the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, was cleared on appeal of accusations of false statements during the presidential campaign of 2022. But other cases threaten his ambitions.
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