An Enemy’s Fall Frees South Korea’s Leader

A South Korean court this week sentenced a former president to life imprisonment for masterminding an insurrection, easing a major political burden for President Lee Jae Myung. The conviction validated the impeachment that helped make Mr. Lee’s election possible and gave the country a measure of closure after months of turmoil.

The ruling should give Mr. Lee a freer hand to move beyond the drama and toward other priorities. Mr. Lee already leads a majority in the National Assembly and enjoys roughly 60 percent approval in surveys. If his party wins a predicted landslide in June’s city mayor and provincial governor elections, he will likely feel more confident pushing domestic policies such as curbing housing prices.

Still, the deeper test is healing a polarized society split by political tribalism and disagreements over ties with North Korea and China.

South Korea

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