Former South Korean President Yoon Seok-youl Appeals Two-Year Prison Sentence for Free Polls

Former President Yoon Seok-youl and political broker Myeong Tae-kyun were convicted in a first‑instance trial for receiving free opinion polls. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of about 13.96 million won, while Myeong received one year and six months. Both filed appeals on the same day, arguing that the lower court mis‑applied facts and law. The court had found an implicit agreement between Yoon and the broker to exchange tailored polls and political advice without charge, deeming it a violation of political‑funding rules. The appeal challenges the determination that Yoon’s actions constituted illegal political‑fund receipt, while Myeong’s appeal contests his conviction on similar grounds. The case follows separate proceedings in which former first lady Kim Kyeong‑hee was acquitted of the same charges.