A court ruling roils South Korea’s presidential election

As South Koreans prepare to elect a successor to ousted former president Yoon Suk Yeol, a court ruling against front-runner Lee Jae-myung has thrust the country — which has been under interim leadership for the last five months — into further uncertainty.

- Max Kim, Tribune News Service

Yoon, who was impeached for declaring martial law in December, was removed from office last month, triggering a snap election that will be held June 3. Since then the country has been led by a descending order of deputies, including the prime minister, the finance minister and, now, the education minister. Lee, who until declaring his candidacy last month was the leader of South Korea's liberal opposition party, has been the clear favorite in polls. But his candidacy has been complicated by several criminal trials he has decried as politically motivated.