Lee Myung-bak Sentencing Request 3 Hours Ago... Son-in-law Cho Hyun-beom Attends First Trial (Comprehensive)

Indicted and Detained on Charges of Embezzlement and More
"Could Not Review Records"... Case Virtually Stalled
Former President Lee Faces 23-Year Prison Sentence Request

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 8th, at the Seoul Court Complex in Seocho-gu, prior to former President Lee Myung-bak's appellate trial sentencing hearing, his son-in-law paid a visit. It was Cho Hyun-beom, CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology. Earlier, CEO Cho was indicted on charges including receiving bribes from partner companies. At 11:20 a.m. that day, his first trial was held in Courtroom 513 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo of the Criminal Division 1. CEO Cho also appeared in court in custody.

The trial was at a standstill. The first hearing typically proceeds with the prosecutor presenting the charges, followed by the defendant stating their position. However, CEO Cho's defense attorney did not present a position, citing "not having reviewed the records." CEO Cho also made no separate statement. The court decided to hear CEO Cho's side at the next hearing scheduled for the 5th of next month.

CEO Cho was brought to trial on charges of embezzling over 600 million won by receiving monthly kickbacks from Hankook Tire subcontractors and affiliates over a period of 10 years starting in 2008, and hiding the funds through nominee accounts. He was also indicted for receiving money from affiliates and subcontractors using nominee accounts under the names of acquaintances, his brother-in-law, and the father of a hostess at a nightlife establishment. The charges listed in the indictment include breach of trust and embezzlement, violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (concealment of criminal proceeds), and violation of the Real Name Financial Transactions Act. The prosecution outlined these charges on the day.

Former President Lee Myung-bak, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement of DAS funds and bribery and sentenced to 15 years in prison in the first trial, is attending the final hearing held at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 8th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Meanwhile, at around 2:05 p.m. that day, during former President Lee Myung-bak's sentencing hearing held under the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Jung Jun-young), the prosecution requested a prison sentence of 23 years. They asked for 17 years for the Samsung bribery charges and 6 years for the remaining charges including embezzlement related to DAS.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.