Former President Lee Myung-bak Appeals Against 17-Year Prison Sentence in Second Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former President Lee Myung-bak has filed an appeal against the appellate court's ruling. On the 19th, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison in the appellate court ruling.

According to the court on the 24th, the former president's side submitted a notice of appeal to the Seoul High Court on the same day. It is known that the intention is to make a final appeal to the Supreme Court to contest the not guilty verdict. Originally, the deadline for the former president's appeal was until midnight on the 26th.

Earlier, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Jung Jun-young) held a sentencing hearing on the 19th and recognized the former president's bribery charges for having Samsung pay litigation costs related to Das, sentencing him to 12 years in prison, and sentenced him to 5 years in prison for embezzlement of Das funds. Since bribery committed during the presidency under the Public Official Election Act is to be sentenced separately from other crimes, the court issued separate sentences accordingly.

After sentencing to imprisonment, the court revoked the bail decision and detained the former president in court. The former president was re-incarcerated 350 days after his release and is currently detained at Seoul Eastern Detention Center. After the second trial sentencing, the former president's side expressed their intention to appeal, stating that they could not accept the court's judgment.