Seoul: Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on Thursday stepped up a push to promote his pro-business and economic policies ahead of the June 3 election, capitalizing on eased legal risks following the postponement of his retrial over election law violations. Lee attended a meeting with the heads of South Korea's major business lobbies, including the Federation of Korean Industries and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in his first public schedule after the Seoul High Court postponed the first retrial hearing by one month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the appeals court postponed Lee's hearing from May 15 to June 18, giving him a breather as he faces the prospect of his not-guilty verdict being overturned in a controversial land development case dating back to his time as a provincial mayor. The sentence, if finalized, would bar Lee from running in the election.

With the hearing postponed, Lee shifted his campaign focus to business and the economy, a move seen as an effort to cement his growing dominance in the election. "The most important task ahead is to improve people's livelihoods, and reviving the economy is at the heart of this," Lee said at the meeting. "And at the center of the economic recovery are businesses. If you present a path for growth and development, I will actively embrace it and work to turn it into better policies and put them into action," he said.

Lee's emphasis on business is seen as an effort to woo the middle-of-the-road and conservative voters. In March, Lee met with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, followed by consecutive meetings with the heads of the think tanks affiliated with South Korea's top four conglomerates -- Samsung, Hyundai, SK, and LG -- emphasizing his focus on the business community to make the country better. Such moves in Lee's campaign mark a shift from his previous approach, which placed less priority on business-related issues.

Later in the day, Lee was to meet with some 500 officials from workers' associations representing various occupations, from doctors, nurses, and small business owners to taxi drivers. Lee was also scheduled to appear on some YouTube business channels. "Starting with the meeting with business lobbies, we plan to unveil our full visions for the economy and people's livelihoods," said Yun Ho-jung, chief of Lee's campaign team.