Accused of involvement in corruption cases

Former President Lee Myung-bak of the conservative political camp was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Oct. 5, 2018 additionally with a fine of 13 billion won (US$11.5 million). on a number of corruption charges. The sentencing him the fourth former South Korean President to be criminally convicted.

In a trial televised live, the court ruled that former President Lee, aged 76, is the de facto owner of his brother's company, DAS, which is at the center of the scandal. The court said he told DAS officials to create slush funds and are responsible for a range of irregularities involving the company. Lee has long been suspected of being its real owner.

Former President Lee Myung-bak walks towards the Seoul Central District Court to attend his corruption trial on Sept. 6, 2018.

Lee, president from 2008-2013, was indicted in April on 16 counts that include bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power. Prosecutors had demanded 20 years in prison for Lee.

The court also found Lee guilty of accepting Samsung Electronics Co.'s $5.85 million payment on his behalf for a U.S. lawsuit DAS had been involved.

The court acknowledged that Samsung paid the retainer for Lee, seeking clemency for a tax evasion probe against its chairman, Lee Kun-hee, and given the subsequent presidential pardon of Lee.

Of the 35 billion won prosecutors alleged Lee had embezzled, the court only acknowledged 24 billion won, citing a lack of evidence.

Lee was not present at Friday's hearing in protest at the court's decision to allow live TV coverage of the hearing.

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