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A South Korean court on Tuesday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, after finding him guilty of violating election law. The conviction relates to false statements he allegedly made during his 2022 presidential campaign.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Yoon made false statements when he denied introducing a lawyer to a former tax official and claimed he and his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, had not met shaman Jeon Seong-bae. Both relationships had drawn scrutiny during the campaign.

If the sentence is upheld through appeals, Yoon's People Power Party might have to return 39.7 billion won (approximately $27.1 million) in election expenses. These funds were reimbursed by the National Election Commission following his presidential election victory.

Yoon, who has denied any wrongdoing, plans to appeal the verdict, his legal counsel announced in a statement.

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The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon made false statements during the 2022 presidential campaign when he denied introducing a lawyer to a former tax official and claimed he and his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, had not met shaman Jeon Seong-bae.