{"id":2207178,"date":"2024-11-18T18:18:50","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T09:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207178"},"modified":"2024-11-19T12:23:14","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T03:23:14","slug":"lee-jae-myung-verdict-disrupts-south-koreas-opposition-party-and-2027-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/11\/lee-jae-myung-verdict-disrupts-south-koreas-opposition-party-and-2027-election\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee Jae-myung verdict disrupts South Korea\u2019s opposition party and 2027 election"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Seoul Central District Court\u2019s conviction of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung for election law violations could reshape South Korea\u2019s political landscape. The ruling, if upheld, may upend Lee\u2019s political career and force the Democratic Party (DP) to reassess its leadership as it grapples with internal divisions and a deeply polarized electorate.<\/span><\/p>\n Lee\u2019s conviction highlights the contentious intersection of law and politics in South Korea, with both his supporters and critics framing the case as a pivotal moment for the country\u2019s democracy. While the DP rallies around its embattled leader, questions about leadership succession and public trust in the judiciary loom large.<\/span><\/p>\n COURT VERDICT AND CHARGES<\/b><\/p>\n The Seoul Central District Court convicted Lee Jae-myung on two counts of disseminating false information during his 2022 presidential campaign on Friday. Lee received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, under <\/span>Article 250<\/span><\/a> of the <\/span>Public Official Election Act<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The law mandates prison terms of up to five years or fines up to $35,890 (50 million won) for those found guilty of spreading false information to gain electoral advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n The court ruled that Lee falsely claimed in a Dec. 2021 TV interview that he did not know Kim Moon-ki, a senior development official involved in the controversial <\/span>Daejang-dong land project<\/span><\/a>. Kim was later found dead in his office amid an investigation into alleged favoritism during Lee\u2019s tenure as Seongnam mayor.<\/span><\/p>\n The court also found that Lee falsely stated in an Oct. 2021 parliamentary session that the rezoning of Baekhyeon-dong in Seongnam was coerced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe dissemination of false information during the election process can distort and damage the will of the people,\u201d the court said, emphasizing that Lee\u2019s televised statements amplified their impact during a critical election period.<\/span><\/p>\n Lee has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to appeal. \u201cThis ruling will be recorded in South Korea\u2019s modern history,\u201d he said, expressing confidence in \u201cjustice and common sense\u201d prevailing in higher courts.<\/span><\/p>\n Prosecutors had previously <\/span>requested<\/span><\/a> a two-year prison sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n