The Supreme Court sends back the case of Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a guilty meaning, while, on the 1st, members of a conservative group cheer in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Kim Kwan-rae.

"We won!" "Long live a free Republic of Korea"

"That's ridiculous" "It's a lie"

The Supreme Court revoked the appellate ruling that acquitted Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, returning the case for retrial with a guilty intent, causing a momentary uproar near the courthouse. Supporters of Lee shouted insults toward the courthouse, while conservative rally participants cheered and embraced each other.

According to police on the 1st, a progressive group called "Candlelight Action" reported that it would hold a rally near the courthouse in Seocho-dong, Seocho District, Seoul, starting at 2 p.m. with 5,000 participants. However, due to heavy rain since the morning, only about 150 actual participants were present as of 3 p.m.

The Supreme Court sends back the case of Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a guilty meaning, while, on the 1st, supporters of the candidate are disappointed in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Lee Ho-jun.

As Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-daey read the ruling and the possibility of Lee being found guilty increased, supporters of Lee watching the live broadcast on screens set up in rally vehicles shouted curses. They exclaimed, "(The judge) is exactly like XX (former President Yoon Suk-yeol)." Although Lee's supporters shouted phrases like "It's a lie," their expressions became increasingly grim.

After learning that the Supreme Court had returned Lee’s case for retrial with a guilty intent, some rally participants sat down on the asphalt and cried. The host from Candlelight Action claimed, "It’s a ruling that insults the sovereign people." They stated in a statement, "This is an abnormal appeal for a case already ruled as not guilty right before the presidential election," and added, "The Supreme Court has blatantly intervened in the election with an absurd ruling. We declare a nationwide uprising to repress tyranny with our burning rage."

At 3 PM on the 1st, the civic group Candle Action watches the live broadcast of the Supreme Court's ruling on Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the election law case. /Courtesy of Lee Ho-jun.

On the opposite side of the street, a rally calling for Lee’s conviction was held. About 50 participants waved Taegeuk and American flags while chanting slogans like "Arrest Lee Jae-myung." When the Supreme Court's decision was announced, they shouted, "We won!" "Lee Jae-myung is guilty!" "Long live!" Some took off their glasses and cried, while others embraced and jumped. Some also danced joyfully while waving their hands.