A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, after finding him guilty of breaking the country’s election law by making false statements during his successful 2022 presidential campaign. The decision is another in a string of legal blows for the former conservative leader, who has a number of criminal proceedings against him linked to his tenure in power.
Yoon was found guilty of wilfully making false claims while running as the presidential candidate of the People Power Party (PPP) by the Central District Court of Seoul. He lied about bringing a lawyer to a former tax official under investigation and lied about his and former first lady Kim Keon Hee’s ties to shaman Jeon Seong-bae, whose purported influence became a contentious topic during the election campaign, the court said. The judges said the words could have a major impact on the decisions of voters.
Prosecutors had recommended a two-year prison sentence, saying Yoon’s remarks helped deflect public attention from the charges amid the tight presidential battle. However, the court gave Yoon a suspended sentence, indicating that he would not serve any time unless he breaks the law again during the three-year suspension period. His legal team said they aim to challenge the conviction, saying the ruling is based on an inaccurate understanding of the facts and election law.
The ruling might potentially have substantial political and financial implications for Yoon’s conservative People Power Party. If the judgement stands after all appeals, the PPP could be obliged under South Korea’s election law to return about 39.7 billion won (about US$27 million) in campaign expenses reimbursed by the National Election Commission after Yoon’s 2022 election victory. Analysts say such a repayment would put the party under a serious financial strain ahead of future elections.
The election law conviction is just one of several legal cases the former president faces. Yoon was ousted in 2025 after his contentious proclamation of martial law in late 2024 ignited South Korea’s most serious political crisis in decades. He also faces many other criminal prosecutions, including on matters related to the martial law event, obstruction of justice and other claims.
Political observers say Monday’s judgement clouds the future of South Korea’s conservative movement even further. In addition to the legal consequences that Yoon himself could face, the People Power Party might also lose billions of won in public funding for campaigns, which could dilute the party’s organisational and electoral power. Yoon’s defenders claim the accusations against him are politically driven, while critics say they show the accountability of even the highest officeholders in the country.
The conviction is not final for now as Yoon can appeal through higher courts. The deferred prison term and the possible repayment of campaign cash will stay subject to a judicial review process until all appeals are exhausted. The conclusion is likely to have far-reaching repercussions for South Korean politics and the future of the opposition People Power Party.
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