Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for corruption

A South Korean court on Monday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to two years in prison in a corruption case involving unpaid fees for public opinion surveys and allegations of threatening a polling firm through legal action.

According to Reuters, the Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of failing to pay for 14 nationwide opinion polls conducted while he was president. The polling firm had sought 270 million won (about $179,800) for the surveys.

Yoon denied the allegations, saying he had never instructed any organisation to conduct opinion polls while in office or after leaving the presidency. He can appeal the verdict before the High Court.

The 65-year-old former president was removed from office after declaring martial law in December, triggering a major political crisis. He is also appealing a separate life sentence handed down in February over the martial law case.