South Korea’s main opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, has been convicted of violating the country’s election law and handed a one-year suspended prison sentence. The Seoul Central District Court on Friday found the Democratic Party (DP) leader guilty of making false statements during the 2022 presidential election, contravening the Public Official Election Act.
If the ruling is upheld, Lee will lose his parliamentary seat and be barred from running for public office for five years, effectively disqualifying him from contesting the 2027 presidential election. Lee, however, has vowed to appeal the decision, calling the court’s ruling unjust.
The conviction has sparked strong reactions from both supporters and critics with demonstrators gathering near the court and Lee’s supporters holding signs declaring his innocence amid critics calling for his arrest.
The Democratic Party leader’s legal troubles come at a critical juncture for the party, with potential implications for its political future. Observers are closely monitoring the appeal process and its impact on South Korea’s political landscape.
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