A South Korean court on Monday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to two years in prison after finding him ‌guilty in a political funding case.

Mr Suk Yeol was found guilty of illegally receiving opinion polling services worth 270 million won ($179,800) for free from a political broker, local media said.

The Seoul Central District Court found that the former president violated political funding laws by receiving 14 rounds ⁠of polling from the political broker at no cost and later exercising influence over the nomination of a former lawmaker to repay him, according to the ruling.

Mr Suk Yeol, 65, is involved in eight legal cases and has denied the charges, saying he did not request the polls or promise anything in return.

The decision differed from earlier court rulings involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, which found no quid pro quo in connection with the polling services.

Monday’s ruling can be appealed.

He ⁠is currently appealing a life sentence handed down in February after a court found him guilty of masterminding an insurrection tied ⁠to his short-lived declaration of martial law in 2024.

Other cases include a Supreme Court ruling that finalised a seven-year prison sentence for obstructing authorities’ attempt to arrest him.

(Reuters/NAN)