Opposition lawmaker fined $2,084 for violating election law

Rep. Lee Sang-sik, lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, leaves the Suwon District Court after the court fined him for underreporting his assets ahead of April's general elections, Feb. 19. Yonhap

An opposition lawmaker was fined 3 million won ($2,084) by a court Wednesday, a sentence that could strip him of his seat in the National Assembly if finalized.

The Suwon District Court handed down the fine for Rep. Lee Sang-sik of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Lee has been accused of allegedly making a false statement of his assets during his parliamentary election campaign last April.

By law, a lawmaker will lose their seat if a fine of more than 1 million won on violation of election law is finalized.

After the ruling, Lee told reporters that he respected the court's decision, but he would appeal. (Yonhap)