People Power Party faces major legal and financial risks

The People Power Party faces significant legal and financial risks as high-profile trials involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae reach critical stages.

On November 29, the Seoul High Court held the closing arguments for Yoon Suk Yeol’s appeal regarding violations of the Public Official Election Act. The first instance court had previously sentenced Yoon to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 3 years. If a final sentence of a fine of 1 million won or more is confirmed, Yoon’s election will be invalidated, and the People Power Party will be legally required to return 39.7 billion won in election expenses previously reimbursed by the National Election Commission.

Simultaneously, the appeal process for former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae reached its closing stage. Park was previously sentenced to 25 years in prison for his involvement in insurrection-related duties during the December 3 martial law declaration.

These legal developments have sparked political debate regarding the potential dissolution of the People Power Party. While legal experts note that a party dissolution is not automatic upon criminal convictions and requires a Constitutional Court ruling, the possibility of the government seeking to dissolve the party due to activities deemed contrary to democratic order has become a prominent political issue.