Top court to rule on Lee's criminal case tomorrow

South Korea's Supreme Court said it will rule on Thursday in a criminal case that could determine whether the frontrunner for the June 3 snap election, former opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung, can run for president.

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The top court is deciding on an appeal by prosecutors after a lower court decision to clear Lee of charges of violating election law. He was initially found guilty and he appealed against that verdict.

If the Supreme Court upholds that ruling or sends it back to the lower court, Lee would likely be clear to run.

If he is handed a final prison sentence or a fine of I million won ($697) or more, he would be barred from running for office for at least five years.