The first hearing of liberal Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's retrial for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act is scheduled for May 15.

Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea has emerged as the clear front-runner in the latest poll on preferred presidential candidates, with 42% of respondents saying he is best suited for the role.

South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung violated election law and sent the case back to the high court for final sentencing, in a move that potentially upends the race for the country’s next leader.