Appeals hearing held for opposition leader Lee following his constitutional review request

An appeals hearing was held Wednesday afternoon at the Seoul High Court on main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung over his violation of the Public Official Election Act.

This comes a day after Lee filed a request with the appellate court for a constitutional review, seeking a ruling on the constitutionality of relevant legal provisions.

If the court accepts the request, the appeals hearings will be suspended until the Constitutional Court issues a ruling.

Lee was convicted of making false statements during the previous presidential campaign when he was a candidate.

Lee denied knowing a man involved in a land development scandal in Seongnam during a media interview in 2021, and also reportedly made false claims during a related National Assembly audit.

Following his trial, he was given a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Should this ruling stand, Lee will lose his legislative seat and be barred from running in elections for five years.