A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years. The Seoul Central District Court found the former leader guilty of violating election law by making false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign.
The ruling puts the conservative People Power Party at risk of having to return 39.7 billion won, or 27.1 million US dollars, in election expenses reimbursed by the National Election Commission. If the sentence is upheld by higher courts, the requirement to return these funds could financially cripple the party.
Furthermore, the court's decision could see Yoon's 2022 electoral win nullified. This represents a symbolic blow for the former president, who is already serving a life sentence for insurrection.