A South Korean court on Monday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to two years in prison after finding him guilty of violating political funding laws by accepting free opinion polling services from a political broker in exchange for political influence, according to local media.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon illegally received 14 rounds of opinion polling worth about 270 million won ($179,800) without payment. The court found that he later used his influence over the nomination of a former lawmaker as compensation for the political broker, constituting an illegal political contribution under South Korean law.
Yoon denied the allegations throughout the proceedings, arguing that he neither requested the polling services nor promised political favors in return. His legal team has maintained that there was no agreement linking the polling to nominations or political decisions.
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The ruling differs from previous court decisions involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, in which judges concluded there was insufficient evidence of a quid pro quo related to the same polling services. Monday’s verdict, however, determined that sufficient evidence existed to convict Yoon on the political funding charges.
The former president has the right to appeal the latest conviction.
Latest setback in mounting legal troubles
The funding case adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing Yoon following his removal from office.
The 65-year-old is currently involved in eight separate legal proceedings. He is appealing a life sentence imposed in February after being convicted of masterminding an insurrection linked to his brief declaration of martial law in 2024.
Earlier this month, South Korea’s Supreme Court also upheld a seven-year prison sentence against Yoon for obstructing authorities’ attempts to arrest him during the political crisis.
Why it matters
The latest conviction deepens the legal and political fallout from one of South Korea’s most turbulent presidential tenures. It reinforces the judiciary’s continued scrutiny of alleged abuses of power and campaign financing practices involving former senior officials.
With multiple criminal cases still pending, Yoon faces the prospect of additional prison terms, while the outcomes of his appeals could shape public perceptions of accountability and the country’s broader political landscape.
Future outlook
Attention now turns to Yoon’s appeal against the political funding conviction and the remaining court proceedings. Legal experts expect the appeals process to take several months, while separate cases related to martial law and abuse of office continue to move through the courts.
The succession of trials is likely to remain a dominant issue in South Korean politics, influencing debates over judicial independence, political accountability, and reforms to campaign financing and presidential powers.
With information from Reuters.
