Lee Myung-bak Sentenced to 17 Years in Second Trial... Returned to Detention Center After 350 Days (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former President Lee Myung-bak was sentenced to 17 years in prison in the appellate trial. He had been on trial for embezzling funds from the auto parts company DAS and receiving bribes from Samsung.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Jeong Jun-young) on the 19th sentenced former President Lee to 17 years in prison, a fine of 13 billion KRW, and a confiscation of approximately 5.78 billion KRW on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. With the prison sentence, his bail was revoked and he was taken into custody in court. This marks 350 days since he was released on bail on March 6 last year.

The appellate court found guilty 25.2 billion KRW out of the 34.9 billion KRW embezzlement amount presented by the prosecution, and 8.9 billion KRW out of the 16.3 billion KRW bribery amount. Previously, the first trial recognized embezzlement charges of about 24.6 billion KRW and bribery charges of about 8.5 billion KRW, sentencing him to 15 years in prison. The appellate court increased the sentence by 2 years due to the increase in bribery charges.

At the time of the initial indictment, the bribery amount was about 11.1 billion KRW. However, during the appellate trial, the prosecution amended the indictment to add about 5.1 billion KRW related to Samsung’s payment of DAS’s litigation costs. The appellate court found a significant portion of this newly identified bribery amount to be guilty.

Unlike the first trial court, the appellate court did not provide an answer as to who the "real owner of DAS" is. However, by finding former President Lee guilty of embezzling DAS company funds and receiving bribes from Samsung for DAS litigation costs, it effectively recognized that DAS is owned by former President Lee.

The court stated, "The defendant, as the head of state and the administrative leader in the position of president, neglected his duties and responsibilities and received bribes from public officials and private companies, engaging in corrupt acts." It pointed out that "the method of receiving was secretive and not easily exposed, and the purpose of obtaining private benefits was evident."

The court continued, "Nevertheless, the defendant denied all charges, blaming false testimonies from DAS employees, public officials who worked with him, and Samsung Group employees." It added, "Despite the clear responsibility for his actions, he showed no remorse or sincere acceptance of responsibility, which is very regrettable."

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