SEOUL — South Korea’s presidential race is facing chaos after the Supreme Court ordered a new trial for frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party on Thursday after throwing out a lower court acquittal, just weeks ahead of a snap election.
In another blow, Lee’s most dangerous potential opponent, Han Duck-soo, resigned as prime minister less than an hour after the ruling — suggesting he intends to run for the top job. His concurrent role as acting president will be taken over by Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok.
