Court Confirms 2‑Year Jail Sentence and Asset Forfeiture for Ex‑Lawmaker Kwun

On Thursday, South Korea’s highest court upheld a two‑year imprisonment for ex‑lawmaker Kwun Syeong‑dong, former floor leader of the opposition People Power Party. The ruling also maintained the order to confiscate 100 million won that Kwun allegedly received from a senior figure in the Unification Church during January 2022.

The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s determination that Kwun violated the Political Funds Act, which mandates the forfeiture of any illegal contribution exceeding one million won and triggers the loss of a parliamentary seat.

Kwun’s response described the decision as “political retaliation” and called for the case to be dismissed, though he said he would comply with the judgment. The court’s conclusion follows a recent verdict against former prosecutor‑turned‑politician Yun Young‑ho on related charges.

Having served five terms and previously aligned with President Yoon Suk‑yeol, Kwun claimed the interaction with the church official was limited to a meal and that no financial exchange occurred. The High Court dismissed this defense after reviewing documentation presented by special prosecutor Min Jong‑ki’s investigative team.

Kwun remained the People Power Party’s parliamentary floor leader up to June 2025. He was taken into custody in September, formally indicted in November, and prosecutors originally sought a four‑year prison term along with the full forfeiture of the 100 million won.