South Korean President Lee Myung-bak jailed for 15 years on corruption charges
- Country:
- Korea Rep.
Former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak was jailed for 15 years for corruption Friday, becoming the latest of the country's ex-leaders to be sent to prison.
The 76-year-old CEO-turned-president, who served from 2008 to 2013, was found guilty on charges including bribery and embezzlement and ordered to pay a fine of 13 billion won ($11.5 million) by the Seoul Central District Court.
"Bringing everything into consideration, heavy punishment for the accused is inevitable," said a judge during the trial that was live televised.
Lee was not in attendance, citing ill-health.
The former South Korean leader was indicted in April on 16 charges that included bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power.
The court found that Lee was the de-facto owner of DAS -- a controversial auto parts company which he claimed was his brother's -- which he used to create slush funds of around 24 billion won.
Lee was also found guilty of accepting nearly six billion won from Samsung Electronics in return for a presidential pardon for its chairman Lee Kun-hee, who was jailed for tax evasion.
Both Samsung and Lee have denied any wrongdoing.
(With inputs from agencies.)
ALSO READ
Uttar Pradesh government to decide over dropping charges against state Congress chief Ajay Rai after LS polls
Congress summons Boeing's CEO to testify on its jetliner safety following new whistleblower charges
Trump hush money charges seen as serious by most voters, Reuters/Ipsos finds
Former Mississippi officers known as the 'Goon Squad' sentenced on state charges
Retired chair of Chinese state-owned Everbright Group indicted on bribery charges