A South Korean court convicted on Friday main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on charges of violating the election law, handing him a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Lee said after the hearing that he would appeal the court’s decision.
“I will be appealing. Beginning with the basic facts, it is a conclusion that is difficult to accept,” he said.
If any prison sentence or fine of one million won (US$710) or more becomes final, Lee would be stripped of his parliament seat and his eligibility to run in any elections for the next five years.
When Lee arrived at the Seoul Central District Court, his supporters chanted his name as he entered, while a group of protesters also gathered near the court.
Lee, head of the main opposition Democratic Party who narrowly lost to President Yoon Suk-yeol in the 2022 election, faces at least four trials after being indicted on several criminal charges including bribery and corruption.
