A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, after finding him guilty of violating election law. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the former leader made false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign.
The sentence could force the conservative People Power Party to return 39.7 billion won (US$27.1 million) in election expenses reimbursed by the National Election Commission. If upheld by higher courts, the requirement to return around 40 billion won could financially cripple the party.
This ruling could see Yoon's 2022 electoral win nullified, representing a symbolic blow for the ex-leader. Yoon is already serving a life sentence for insurrection.