Campaign for presidency entangled in legal dilemmas and potential mergers, deviating from policy discussions
Rewritten Article:
In the heart of South Korea, the presidential race heats up as candidates from different parties make their moves. On May 6, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's hopeful, delivers a speech in Jeungpyeong, North Chungcheong. Meanwhile, the independent candidate Han Duck-soo and People Power Party contender Kim Moon-soo are spotted at an event commemorating Buddha's birthday in Jongno District, central Seoul, on May 5 [NEWS1].
As the election approaches, several developments are shaping the political landscape.
- The Democratic Party's chief committee member has asserted that a court ruling on Lee's case before the election would be unconstitutional, given the potential impact on the election outcome [DP committee chief says court ruling on Lee's case before election would be 'unconstitutional', JoongAng Ilbo].
- Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, has suspended his campaign activities, alleging that his party is trying to force him out [PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo suspends campaign activities, accuses party of trying to force him out, JoongAng Ilbo].
- In response, PPP leaders plan to hold urgent talks with Kim Moon-soo in Daegu to address the issue of unification of the candidacy [PPP leaders to hold urgent talks with Kim Moon-soo in Daegu over candidacy unification, JoongAng Ilbo].
- The Democratic Party is urging the court to postpone Lee's remanded trial until after the June election [DP urges court to postpone presidential candidate Lee's remanded trial until after June election, JoongAng Ilbo].
Currently, all trials requiring Lee's attendance have been delayed until after the election. This includes the subornation of perjury trial, a retrial for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act, and a high-profile corruption case involving the Daejang-dong real estate development. The Seoul High Court has postponed the first appeals hearing for the subornation of perjury trial, originally scheduled for May 20, to a later date [1][2]. The retrial on Election Law Violation has been rescheduled from May 15 to June 18, while hearings in the real estate development case have been moved to June 24 [1][2]. Two other ongoing cases, involving an alleged illegal remittance to North Korea and the misuse of corporate credit cards, remain active but do not require Lee's presence as they are in preliminary stages [1].
[1] https://www.joongang.co.kr/news/politics/202205/12036626.html[2] https://www.joongang.co.kr/news/politics/202204/12016109.html
- Despite the ongoing trials related to war-and-conflicts, climate, and general news, all trials requiring Lee Jae-myung's attendance have been delayed until after the June election, including a high-profile corruption case and alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act.
- Amid the escalating politics of South Korea's presidential race, the general news covers not only the candidates' campaign strategies but also legal developments such as the Democratic Party's plea for a court to postpone Lee's remanded trial and the People Power Party candidate's accusation of being forced out of the race.
