Seoul, July 13: A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to two years ‌in prison on Monday (July 13, 2026) after finding ​him 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 Yoon ‌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.

Yoon had denied the charges, saying he had not requested the polls or ‌promised anything in return.

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

Yoon, 65, is involved in eight legal cases. 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 last week that finalised a seven-year prison ‌sentence for obstructing authorities’ attempt to arrest him.-Agencies