SEOUL — A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to two years in prison on Monday after finding him guilty of violating political funding laws in connection with free opinion polling services.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon illegally received 14 rounds of polling worth 270 million won, about $179,800, from a political broker between 2022 and 2023, and later used his influence to help the broker secure a party nomination in return.
The verdict adds to a growing list of legal troubles for the 65-year-old former president, who is already appealing a life sentence in a separate insurrection case tied to his brief declaration of martial law in 2024.
Court: Polling services were illegal campaign support
According to the ruling, the court found that Yoon violated the Political Funds Act by receiving polling data at no cost and by intervening in the nomination process of a former lawmaker as a form of repayment to the broker.
Prosecutors argued that the polling was not disclosed as a political donation and gave Yoon an unfair advantage in shaping party strategy and candidate selection ahead of key elections.
The court determined that the services had clear monetary value and that Yoon’s office coordinated with the broker on how the results would be used. It also concluded that Yoon later pressured party officials to nominate the broker’s preferred candidate for a parliamentary seat.
Yoon denied all charges throughout the trial. His defense team argued that he had not requested the polls and had made no promises in exchange. They maintained that any contact with the broker was routine political engagement and did not constitute a quid
In separate cases linked to the same broker, courts found that there was no direct evidence of a quid pro quo involving Kim and the polling services. Those rulings led to acquittals on related charges.
Legal analysts said the difference lies in the court’s assessment of Yoon’s direct role. While Kim was found to have had limited involvement, the court concluded that Yoon personally benefited from the polling and took steps to repay the broker through political influence.
Monday’s sentence can be appealed to a higher court. Yoon’s lawyers immediately indicated they would file an appeal, arguing that the ruling misinterpreted the nature of political consultation and fundraising.
He is most prominently appealing a life sentence handed down in February 2026. In that case, a court found him guilty of masterminding an insurrection after he declared martial law for six hours in December 2024, citing threats from opposition lawmakers and national security concerns. The declaration was overturned by parliament within hours and triggered months of protests.
Last week, the Supreme Court also finalized a separate seven-year prison sentence for Yoon related to obstructing authorities’ attempt to arrest him during investigations into the martial law incident. That ruling is not subject to further appeal.
Other pending cases include allegations of abuse of power, defamation, and violations of election law. Taken together, the cases represent one of the most extensive legal reckonings for a former South Korean president in the country’s democratic history.
Political fallout and public reaction
The sentencing drew large crowds outside the Seoul Central District Court. Supporters of Yoon called the verdict politically motivated, while critics said it showed that no one, not even a former president, is above the law.
The ruling is likely to deepen divisions within Yoon’s conservative People Power Party, which has struggled to distance itself from the scandals while preparing for upcoming local elections. Party leaders issued a brief statement saying they “respect the court’s decision” and would await the appeal process.
Opposition parties welcomed the verdict as proof that political corruption must be punished. “This is about accountability for using public office for private political gain,” a Democratic Party spokesperson said.
Public opinion in South Korea has been sharply split over Yoon since his presidency ended in 2025 following impeachment proceedings linked to the martial law declaration. His approval ratings had already fallen to historic lows before he left office.
What happens next
Under South Korean law, Yoon will remain free pending appeal, but the court can order him detained if it finds a risk of flight or evidence tampering.
Legal experts say the appeals process for the political funding case could take six to 12 months. If the conviction is upheld, Yoon would begin serving the two-year sentence consecutively with any other prison terms, unless a court orders otherwise.
The case also raises questions about campaign finance oversight in South Korea. Lawmakers from both parties have called for stricter disclosure rules for polling, consulting services, and other forms of in-kind political support.
A presidency defined by controversy
Yoon, a former prosecutor general, came to power in 2022 on a platform of anti-corruption and economic reform. His tenure was marked by confrontations with parliament, labor unions, and the media.
The December 2024 martial law declaration was the turning point. Yoon said it was necessary to protect the country from “anti-state forces.” Parliament voted to lift it, the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, and he was removed from office in early 2025.
Since then, prosecutors have pursued multiple charges, arguing that Yoon abused presidential authority and blurred the line between governance and partisan politics.Monday’s conviction for illegal political funding reinforces that narrative in the eyes of the court. For Yoon and his supporters, it is another example of what they call judicial overreach.
For now, South Korea’s former president faces the prospect of years behind bars if his appeals fail. The courts, and voters, will ultimately decide whether this chapter closes the book on one of the most turbulent presidencies in the country’s modern history.
