The wife of a ruling party lawmaker received a jail term on Thursday for violating the election law, which could lead to the nullification of her husband's election if the ruling is confirmed by the nation's top court.

The Daegu District Court sentenced the wife of Rep. Kim Jong-tae of Saenuri Party to a year in jail, suspended for two years, on charges of giving 7.5 million won ($6,600) in total to three people between September and February. The money was given to win support for her husband in the April's general elections.

The ruling, if confirmed by the Supreme Court, would strip Kim of his parliamentary seat.

Under the Act on Elections for Public Offices, an election result is nullified if a successful candidate's spouse or lineal ascendant or descendant receives a prison term or a fine of more than 3 million won related to illegal election activities. (Yonhap)