Independent Lawmaker Lee Moo-young and the minority Renewal of Korea Party’s Lee Hang-jung have been stripped of their parliamentary seats.

The Supreme Court upheld a court of appeals' verdict that found Lee Moo-young guilty of defaming a rival lawmaker and hit him with a fine of three-million won, about 22-hundred U.S. dollars.

According to the nation’s election law, a lawmaker automatically loses his seat if fined more than one million won.

In a television debate before the 18th general election in April, Lee claimed that his rival served time in prison for supporting the theory that South Korea’s invasion of North Korea started the Korean War.

Meanwhile, the court ruled against Lawmaker Lee Han-jung for neglecting to disclose his criminal record when applying for his party's seat. He will be succeeded by Yoo Won-il.

[Photo : ]