South Korea: ex-president jailed after losing appeal hearing

Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, during his transfer to prison, in Seoul, on March 23, 2018. Jung Yeon-je / Pool via Reuters

Text by: RFI Follow

He was found guilty of improperly receiving funds from the Samsung group to grant a presidential pardon to the president of the South Korean giant Lee Kun-hee, who had been convicted of tax evasion.

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Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was taken into custody on Wednesday after his conviction on appeal to 17 years' imprisonment for corruption.

In power from 2008 to 2013, the former head of state had spent a short stay in prison in 2018 after being sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment and a fine of 13 billion won (10 million euros). ) for corruption and embezzlement . Lee Myung-bak was quickly released on bail and appealed against his conviction. He was found guilty of improperly receiving funds from the Samsung group to grant a presidential pardon to the president of the South Korean giant Lee Kun-hee, who had been convicted of tax evasion.

A court in Seoul sentenced the former president to a heavier sentence after a hearing on Wednesday. In particular, he considered that Lee Myung-bak "had shown no sign of remorse or any sense of responsibility" regarding the facts with which he was charged. On the contrary, the former president blamed the officials he worked with as well as the employees of Samsung, the court said.

Four ex-presidents still alive have been sentenced

Many South Korean heads of state ended up behind bars after leaving office. The four ex-presidents still alive were thus sentenced.

Park Geun-hye, the successor to Lee Myung-bak , is currently serving a 32-year prison sentence for corruption, abuse of power and violations of the electoral law.

Another ex-leader, Roh Moo-hyun, committed suicide in 2009 after being questioned about suspected corruption involving his family.

(with AFP)

Read also: South Korea: resignation of controversial justice minister Cho Kuk

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  • South Korea
  • Corruption
  • Lee Myung-bak

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