Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has received a suspended sentence for violating the election law during his last presidential campaign. 

On Friday the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Lee to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for spreading false information ahead of the election in violation of the Public Official Election Act. 

If the Supreme Court upholds this ruling, Lee will lose his seat and be barred from running in the next presidential election.

The Seoul court said publicizing false information to voters during an election can distort public opinion, adding that the reach and influence of Lee’s statements were amplified through media broadcasts at a time when the situation was a matter of national interest.
 
The court added that while freedom of expression in the electoral process should be protected, the dissemination of false information that leads to distortions of public opinion must also be taken into account, as it has serious consequences.

Lee is expected to appeal the decision. 

If the Supreme Court upholds the ruling, the Democratic Party will be required to return the 43.4 billion won, or about 31 million U.S. dollars, that it received from the National Election Commission for its election expenses.