People Power Party: "MB Criminal Punishment, an Unfortunate History... Need to Reflect on Constitutional System Causes"

On the 29th, former President Lee Myung-bak, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement and bribery, had his 17-year prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court. Reporters gathered in front of his residence in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party described the Supreme Court ruling on former President Lee Myung-bak as an "unfortunate history" and said, "It is time to deeply reflect on whether this arose from a constitutional system that grants too much power to the president and to prepare alternatives."

On the 29th, Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in an oral commentary, "It is an unfortunate history for our country that the head of state elected by the people and the highest authority in national affairs is subject to criminal punishment."

He added, "The repeated misfortunes of past presidents, regardless of individual faults, call for deep reflection on whether they stemmed from a constitutional system that grants too much power to the president, and it is time to prepare alternatives. I hope for the day when former presidents can retire with honor and share their governance experience with future generations in service."

On the same day, the Supreme Court upheld the original sentence in the final appeal of former President Lee, who was indicted on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, sentencing him to 17 years in prison, a fine of 13 billion won, and a confiscation of 5.78 billion won.