The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a two-year prison term for Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the main opposition People Power Party for accepting illegal funds from the Unification Church, stripping him of his parliamentary seat.
The Supreme Court confirmed an appellate court ruling that found him guilty of violating the Political Funds Act for accepting 100 million won (US$67,300) in January 2022 from a church official seeking favors from the former administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The five-term lawmaker, once known as one of Yoon's close confidants, had argued he met the church official for a meal but did not receive money. The Seoul High Court rejected the claim, citing evidence presented by special counsel Min Joong-ki's team.
In a statement, Kweon said he accepted the final ruling but called for an end to what he described as political retaliation. Kweon served as the PPP's floor leader until June 2025.
