SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling and sentenced an opposition lawmaker to two and a half years in prison on charges of receiving illegal political funds, stripping him of his parliamentary seat.
Rep. Park Joon-young of the minor opposition Party for Democracy and Peace was indicted for accepting 352 million won (US$324,104) in illegal political donations ahead of the 2016 general elections from a regional politician seeking his influence in winning a proportional representation ticket.
The district and appeals courts both convicted Park of the charges and sentenced him to two and a half years in prison and a forfeiture of more than 300 million won. On Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld the lower courts' verdict.
As a result, Park lost his National Assembly seat. By law, legislators are stripped of parliamentary seats if they are convicted of political funding or election law violations and receive a 1 million-won fine or heavier sentences.
Park, who also served as governor of South Jeolla Province, has been on trial without physical detention as lawmakers are immune from arrest while the National Assembly is in session. Following the Supreme Court's verdict, however, he will be jailed, officials said.
Rep. Park Joon-young (Yonhap file photo)
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