Yoon Suk Yeol receives suspended prison sentence in election law case; People Power Party may have to return 39.7 billion won if upheld (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jae-man = Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was put on trial for allegedly spreading false information during the 20th presidential election, has received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial. If this sentence is upheld, the People Power Party must return 39.7 billion won in election expenses reimbursed during the presidential campaign to the National Election Commission. The photo shows the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. 2026.7.27 scoop@yna.co.krThe People Power Party launched a counterattack on the 27th, demanding the resumption of President Lee Jae-myung’s trial, as it faces the risk of having to return 39.7 billion won in election expenses to the National Election Commission following the first-instance suspended prison sentence handed down to former President Yoon Suk Yeol for violating the Public Official Election Act.

The party argues that President Lee's trial for violating the Public Official Election Act—for which the Supreme Court previously ordered a retrial with a guilty verdict—should also be resumed for the sake of fairness, and that the Democratic Party of Korea must also return its 43.4 billion won in presidential election subsidies if the sentence is confirmed.

However, there is also an atmosphere of bewilderment within the party over the unexpectedly heavy sentence, with some suggesting they must prepare for the final Supreme Court ruling.

Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon stated in a commentary, "We will solemnly watch the Supreme Court's final judgment," while emphasizing, "The Democratic Party cannot be an exception. Once the remaining procedures for President Lee's case are concluded and the sentence is finalized, the Democratic Party must return the 43.4 billion won in presidential election funds that were reimbursed with the people's tax money."

He added, "While former President Yoon’s case requires waiting for the Supreme Court's final judgment, there is no reason for further delay in President Lee’s case since the Supreme Court has already reached a decision," and stated, "Follow-up trials for President Lee's case must be swiftly resumed and brought to a conclusion."

Five-term lawmaker Kwon Young-se also pointed out in a Facebook post, "If this ruling is maintained, the Supreme Court's 2025 remand ruling on President Lee must be resumed immediately. That would be fair."

An official from the floor leader's office also emphasized in a phone call with Yonhap News, "If the sentence for former President Yoon is finalized, the sentence for President Lee must also be finalized. That would mean the Democratic Party also has to pay back 43.4 billion won in election expenses."

Yoon Suk Yeol receives suspended prison sentence in election law case; People Power Party may have to return 39.7 billion won if upheld (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jae-man = Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was put on trial for allegedly spreading false information during the 20th presidential election, has received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial. If this sentence is upheld, the People Power Party must return 39.7 billion won in election expenses reimbursed during the presidential campaign to the National Election Commission. The photo shows the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. 2026.7.27 scoop@yna.co.kr

However, there is also an internal sense of embarrassment as the party faces realistic challenges if the ruling is finalized. This is because it is difficult to cover the 39.7 billion won return amount with current cash assets alone.

As of February this year, the People Power Party's total assets are approximately 131.5 billion won, most of which are real estate-related assets such as land, buildings, and lease deposits, while cash and cashable assets are reportedly only about 11.6 billion won.

Even those funds are difficult to use for the return payment because they must cover fixed expenditures such as payroll, office operating costs, and organizational activity expenses.

While one media outlet reported on the same day that the party might have to sell its Yeouido headquarters to secure the funds if the sentence against former President Yoon is confirmed, the People Power Party dismissed this, stating that selling the headquarters is not being considered a priority.

Chief Spokesperson Park met with reporters and said, "We are not realistically considering the sale of our headquarters. We are prepared at the party level," adding, "If we have to sell a headquarters, it would be more appropriate to sell the Democratic Party's headquarters, which is worth more."

A party official told Yonhap News, "If President Lee’s trial remains stalled while only the People Power Party receives a final conviction, wouldn't party members and the public be outraged?" and added, "Selling the headquarters is an exaggerated scenario because the money can be sufficiently raised through donations or loans."

Another official stated, "Based on the market value of the building, collateral loans are more than feasible," and noted, "We are not even reviewing the sale of the building." (Yonhap News)