Main opposition Democratic Party(DP) leader Lee Jae-myung has announced he will immediately appeal his suspended prison sentence.

Lee said the court ruling was “extremely difficult to accept,” and added that today’s decision will enter the pages of modern history and justice will prevail in the court of public opinion.

The DP leader left the courthouse without answering further questions from the press.

On Friday the Seoul Central District Court sentenced the DP leader to a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, for violating the Public Official Election Act by lying during the presidential election campaign.

If the sentence is upheld, Lee will be stripped of his parliamentary seat and will not be able to run for president in 2027.