South Korean court targets former President Yoon with harsh two-year sentence in politically charged poll case
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A Seoul court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to two years in prison for allegedly receiving manipulated opinion polls, in a move critics say is part of a broader campaign against conservative leaders and political dissent.
A Seoul court on Monday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to two years in prison, accusing him of illegally obtaining free, manipulated opinion polls from political broker Myung Tae-kyun. The court claimed the polls, conducted between June and October 2021, were used to influence Yoon’s bid for his party’s 2022 presidential nomination. Myung, who received 1½ years for the same alleged offense, was accused of providing the data in exchange for Yoon’s political support, including backing former lawmaker Kim Young-sun for a legislative by-election.
This ruling comes amid a wave of legal actions targeting Yoon, who was impeached last year following a brief declaration of martial law in December 2024—a move his supporters argue was necessary to restore order. The Supreme Court recently upheld a separate seven-year sentence for Yoon, and his legal team has vowed to appeal the latest judgment, arguing that the evidence is flimsy and politically motivated.
"Yoon violated the political funding law by receiving free, manipulated polls in return for political favors," the Seoul Central District Court said, echoing the prosecution’s narrative.
Yoon’s appeal will also address a February life sentence related to a rebellion charge stemming from the December 2024 incident. Many conservatives see these prosecutions as part of a relentless campaign to silence opposition voices and undermine the country’s traditional values.