South Korean Opposition Leader Lee Jae-Myung Convicted Over Election Law Violation

A South Korean court has convicted opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Friday for violating election laws, sentencing him to one year in prison and suspension for two years.

If the ruling is upheld, it could threaten his chances of running for president in 2027.

After the hearing, Lee said that he would appeal the verdict.

“I will be appealing. Beginning with the basic facts, it is a conclusion that is difficult to accept,” he said.

If his appeals fail and the prison sentence becomes final, Lee would be stripped of his parliament seat and his eligibility to run in any elections for the next five years.

Lee, who is the head of the main opposition Democratic Party, narrowly lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 election.

He is faced with at least four trials after being indicted on several criminal charges including bribery and corruption.

Lee was found guilty of breaching the election law by making a false claim during a parliamentary audit in 2021 while running as a presidential candidate about a land development project in Seongnam when he served as mayor, the court said.

In a statement explaining Friday’s ruling, the Seoul Central District Court said spreading false information during an election process prevents voters from making the right choice and could harm democracy.

Prosecutors had sought a two-year jail term, though the suspended sentence he received means he will not go to prison even if it is upheld.

Lee is widely expected to seek to run in the 2027 presidential election.

In January, he survived a knife attack when he was stabbed in the neck by a man during an event and underwent surgery.

His party then went on to score a landslide victory in a parliamentary election in April, dealing a blow to President Yoon and his ruling party.

Lee, who will face another sentencing hearing later this month over charges he abetted perjury, and his party, have accused prosecutors of pursuing a politically motivated case against him.