An appeals court sentenced Rep. Park Joon-young of the minor opposition People's Party to 2 1/2 years in prison Friday for receiving illegal political donations ahead of last year's parliamentary elections.

Should the sentence be finalized at the Supreme Court, Park will lose his National Assembly seat. By law, legislators are stripped of parliamentary seats if they are convicted of political funds or election law violations and receive a 1 million-won ($885) fine or heavier sentences.

Park was indicted for accepting 352 million won in illegal political donations ahead of last year's general elections from a regional politician seeking his influence in winning a proportional representation ticket of the party ahead of last year's general elections.

Despite the donations, the regional politician failed to win a nomination.

The Seoul High Court also ordered Park to forfeit about 300 million won.

"The act of receiving money in connection with a party's nominations would put the party under the influence of money and impairs fairness and distorts the nomination process," the court said in the verdict. "The nature of this crime isn't light."

Despite the conviction, Park was not put into jail because the National Assembly is in session.

In December, a lower court also sentenced Park to the same prison term and a forfeiture of 317 million won.

Park has denied receiving illegal funds.

"I never received money," he said after Friday's sentencing. "I will appeal (to the Supreme Court)." (Yonhap)