SEOUL — The eligibility of Lee Jae-myung, the leading candidate for South Koreas presidency, was cast into doubt after the Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling that had cleared him of breaching election laws. On May 1, the court ruled that Lee had violated election laws by making false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign and sent the case back to the appeals court.

This decision could harm Lees credibility as a presidential candidate and deepen societal divisions, following months of political instability that have affected efforts to guide South Koreas economy through the challenges posed by US tariffs. Chief Justice Jo Hee-de stated that Lees statements were deemed false and significant enough to mislead voters about his eligibility for public office.

The Supreme Court expedited its decision on Lees case but did not set a timeline for the appeals courts review, which typically takes months. It remains uncertain whether the appeals court will reach a verdict before the June 3 election. Lee, who denies any wrongdoing, expressed surprise at the ruling but vowed to abide by the will of the people, stating on Facebook, I will trust only the people and move forward confidently.

Political analyst Shin Yul pointed out that the ruling dealt a significant blow to Lee and the Democratic Party, noting that the appeals court’s decision could ultimately determine whether Lee is disqualified from running for office. If the appeals court aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling, Lee would be barred from contesting elections for at least five years. The Supreme Court made its decision just a month after prosecutors appealed an earlier decision that had cleared Lee.

The Democratic Party, where Lee holds support, stated it had no plans to replace him as the candidate. However, some political commentators believe the party may explore alternatives. Political analyst Rhee Jong-hoon speculated that the party might consider a Plan B or seek other candidates to bolster support. Meanwhile, South Korea’s acting leader, Han Duck-soo, resigned on May 1 in preparation for his expected presidential run. Hans move follows his rise to the top leadership position after the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. A recent Gallup Korea poll from April 25 showed Lee leading the race with 38 percent, followed by Han Dong-hoon of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) with 8 percent and Han Duck-soo with 6 percent.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.