South Korean Court Hands Former President Yoon Suspended Jail Term

AP

South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

A South Korean court on Monday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for three years, after finding him guilty of violating election law by making false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign, according to Reuters.

If the conviction is upheld on appeal, Yoon's People Power Party could be required to repay 39.7 billion won (approximately $27.1 million) in election expenses reimbursed by South Korea's National Election Commission following his presidential election victory.

Reuters reported that the Seoul Central District Court ruled Yoon had made false statements during the 2022 campaign by denying that he had introduced a lawyer to a former tax official. The court also found he falsely claimed that neither he nor his wife, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, had met shaman Jeon Seong-bae.

Both allegations had come under public scrutiny during the presidential campaign and formed part of the case brought against the former president, according to Reuters.

"When a candidate personally announces false information at public events with a large impact, such as debates and ‌interviews, ⁠the effect on voters' decision making is very significant," the court said in its ruling.

Yoon, who had denied any wrongdoing, plans to appeal the verdict, his legal ⁠counsel said in a statement.

Under South Korea's election law, political parties are entitled to state reimbursement of campaign expenses if their presidential candidate wins the election or secures at least 15% of the vote. However, if a candidate later receives a final court ruling invalidating the election result—such as a prison sentence or a fine of at least 1 million won—the party is required to repay the reimbursed funds.

Yoon is also facing several other criminal proceedings, including an insurrection case linked to his declaration of martial law in December 2024. In February, a lower court sentenced him to life imprisonment in connection with that case.



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