Lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong loses parliamentary seat after 2-year sentence for receiving illegal funds confirmed

Kwon Seong-dong, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, has been definitively stripped of his parliamentary seat following a confirmed two-year prison sentence. The conviction relates to allegations that he accepted 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church in exchange for promises of support during the 20th presidential election campaign.

The Supreme Court upheld the lower courts' rulings, confirming the sentence and the forfeiture of 100 million won. The case hinged on evidence including a diary entry from a Unification Church official, Yoon Young-ho, which reportedly stated, 'Lunch with Kwon Seong-dong - big one support.' This was followed by a message from Yoon to Kwon after their meeting, saying, 'What I gave you today is small, but I hope you use it effectively for presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol.'

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Kwon Seong-dong's lunch - big one support

Kwon's defense argued that this evidence was illegally collected. However, both the trial court and the appellate court rejected this claim, finding the evidence relevant to the charges and admissible. The Supreme Court concurred, finding no issues with the lower courts' decisions.

Under South Korean law, incumbent lawmakers convicted of criminal offenses and receiving prison sentences are automatically disqualified from holding their seats and are barred from running for office. Kwon's conviction and subsequent disqualification underscore the legal consequences for illicit political funding.

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What I gave you today is small, but I hope you use it effectively for presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol.