Yearning for democracy: their sought-after governance structure
Fresh Take: Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential hopeful, faces courtroom drama as his election law violation case is far from over.
The Lee Jae-myung Saga
Lee, a frontrunner in the presidential race, was initially acquitted of violating election law back in March. However, trouble brewed when prosecutors didn't take the decision lying down and swiftly appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's Ruling
The Supreme Court, in a move that sent shockwaves, overturned Lee's acquittal on May 1, declaring him guilty of spreading false facts during his campaign. This decision put Lee's political future in jeopardy, with legal experts predicting a fine of at least 1 million won, which would disqualify him from office.
Delayed Justice
Amidst the whirlwind, the Seoul High Court delayed the first hearing of Lee's remanded trial until after the June 3 presidential election, following Lee's registration as a candidate. The decision to suspend hearings on two other trials—subornation of perjury and a corruption case linked to Seongnam development projects—also came on May 11, responding to demands from the Democratic Party.
The Politics of Postponement
The postponement leaves Lee's legal circumstances unresolved during the campaign and the immediate post-election period. If he secures the presidency but is later convicted and fined more than 1 million won, he could be forced to step down during his term.
Key Dates
- Appellate court acquits Lee of election law violation; prosecutors appeal: March 2025
- Supreme Court overturns acquittal, orders retrial: May 1, 2025
- Seoul High Court postpones retrial hearing until after election: May 7, 2025
- Additional hearings (perjury, corruption) also postponed until after election: May 11, 2025
- Presidential election (hearings suspended until after this date): June 3, 2025
This timeline encapsulates the intense legal and political developments surrounding Lee Jae-myung's candidacy and the 2025 South Korean presidential election.
In the midst of the political tension, the postponement of Lee Jae-myung's retrial hearing and additional hearings for perjury and corruption cases until after the June 3 presidential election raises questions about the impact of ongoing policy-and-legislation issues on his campaign (policies). This development also lies in the broader context of the politics of postponement, which could potentially necessitate a shift in the editorial focus of general news towards the unfolding courtroom drama (editorial).
