A South Korean court convicted main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on Friday (November 15) on charges of violating the election law, handing him a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years, a penalty that if upheld could jeopardise his bid to run for president in 2027.
Lee said after the hearing that he will be appealing the court’s decision. If any prison sentence or fine of one million won ($710) or more becomes final, Lee would be stripped of his parliament seat and his eligibility to run in any elections for the next five years.
Lee arrived at the Seoul Central District Court on Friday with his supporters chanting his name, while a group of protesters also gathered near the court.
Lee, head of the main opposition Democratic Party, narrowly lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 election, faces at least four trials after being indicted on several criminal charges including bribery and corruption. He is widely expected to run in the 2027 presidential election.
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