Yoon Suk Yeol, the former president of South Korea, has been sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, with a 3-year suspended sentence, for violating election laws during the 20th presidential election. If the sentence is upheld, the People Power Party will be required to return 39.7 billion won in election funds received during the campaign.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 21st Criminal Division of the Uijeongbu District Court, led by Judge Jo Soon-pyo, found Yoon guilty of making false statements during a discussion at the Kwanhun Club on December 14, 2021. He denied introducing lawyer Lee Mo, who is associated with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, to former police chief Yoon Woo-jin.
The court also ruled that Yoon was guilty of disseminating false information during an interview at the launch of the Buddhist Leaders Forum on January 17, 2022, where he claimed he was introduced to Jeon Seong-bae, a figure linked to the party, and stated that he had never met Kim Gun-hee, the first lady, with him.
If Yoon's sentence is confirmed, the People Power Party will have to return the 39.7 billion won in election funds to the National Election Commission.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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