Former S. Korean head convicted
Sentenced to 24 years in corruption case
SEOUL, South Korea — Former South Korean President Park Geunhye was convicted of corruption charges and sentenced to 24 years in prison on Friday, a year after she was driven from office and arrested over a scandal that saw months of rallies calling for her ouster.
The conviction, which she can appeal, is the latest indignity for South Korea’s first female president, who grew up in the presidential palace as the daughter of a former dictator and even served as first lady after her mother’s assassination.
Once seen as the darling of South Korean conservatives, Park earned the nickname “Queen of Elections” for her record leading her party to victory in tight races, culminating in her own election as president in 2012. Yet that was all undone by the scandal involving a close confidant and bribery, extortion and other allegations.
Park, 66, maintains she’s a victim of “political revenge” and has been refusing to attend court sessions since October. She didn’t attend Friday’s verdict.
In a nationally televised verdict, the Seoul Central District Court convicted Park of bribery, extortion, abuse of power and other charges.
“It’s inevitable that the defendant should be held strictly responsible for her crimes, if only to prevent the unfortunate event of a president abusing the power granted by the people and throwing state affairs into chaos from happening again,” chief judge Kim Se-yun said.
Along with the prison sentence, Kim said Park was fined $16.8 million.
Both Park and prosecutors — who had demanded a 30-year sentence — have one week to appeal.
Park’s lawyer, Kang Cheol-gu, said the legal team will decide whether to appeal after confirming her willingness.
The court convicted Park of colluding with longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil to pressure 18 business groups to donate $72.3 million for the launch of two foundations controlled by Choi.
The two women were also convicted of taking bribes from some of those companies, including more than $6.5 million from Samsung.
The scandal has already led to the arrests, indictments and convictions of dozens of government officials and business leaders.