Korean Lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed his sorrow on July 16 after the Supreme Court confirmed a two-year prison sentence for lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, who was convicted of receiving illegal political funds amounting to 100 million won from the Unification Church. He stated, "While I humbly accept the Supreme Court's ruling, the biased investigation that punishes opposition while exonerating the ruling party will ultimately face historical judgment."

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly following the announcement of Kwon's sentence, Jung said, "Hearing the news of the Supreme Court's ruling on Kwon has deeply saddened me."

He criticized the special prosecutor Min Jung-ki, stating, "The allegations of bribery involving the Unification Church and Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo have been overlooked, allowing the statute of limitations to expire, while investigations were only initiated based on testimonies from opposition politicians."

Jung also directed his remarks at the Supreme Court, saying, "If trials involving opposition politicians are expedited while those against the highest authorities are endlessly prolonged, it will not earn the trust of the public." He urged the Supreme Court to expedite the five ongoing trials against President Lee Jae-myung.

Earlier, Jung visited Kwon in prison for a private meeting, where they discussed concerns about the likelihood of the Supreme Court overturning the guilty verdicts from the first and second trials.

The Supreme Court's second division, led by Justice Eom Sang-pil, upheld the original ruling, sentencing Kwon to two years in prison and ordering the forfeiture of 100 million won. As a result, Kwon has lost his position as a lawmaker under the National Assembly Act and the Public Election Act.