A South Korean court handed down an 18-month prison sentence to former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday, though the jail time will be suspended for a period of three years. The ruling stems from charges that Yoon violated national election laws by knowingly making false statements throughout his 2022 presidential campaign.

Should this verdict remain in place following the inevitable appeals process, the consequences for the People Power Party could be severe. Beyond the legal stain on his record, the party would be legally obligated to repay 39.7 billion won—roughly $27.1 million—in election campaign expenses that were previously reimbursed by the National Election Commission following his victory. Legal experts are continuing to monitor the situation as further developments unfold.