People watch a live TV broadcast at Seoul Station as the Seoul Central District Court is holding a hearing to give the verdict in the trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his alleged election law violation, in Seoul, South Korea, 27 July 2026. The court sentenced Yoon to an 18-month prison term, suspended for three years after finding him guilty of making false statements as the main opposition People Power Party's presidential candidate ahead of the election in March 2022. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
July 27 (Asia Today) -- A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, after finding him guilty of making false statements during his successful 2022 presidential campaign.
The Seoul Central District Court said Yoon's statements concerned his relationship with Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman also known as Geonjin, and his alleged introduction of a lawyer to former tax official Yoon Woo-jin.
"The impact of a candidate publicly making false statements during a debate or other campaign event on an election is extremely significant," the court said. It added that the seriousness of Yoon's conduct should not be regarded as minor.
