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Former President Lee Myung-bak. (Hankyoreh archives)

The Supreme Court upheld a 17-year prison sentence against former President Lee Myung-bak, who was on trial on charges including bribery.

After 13 years, the judicial decision finally brings a conclusion to questions surrounding the actual ownership of the auto parts company DAS, which first arose when Lee emerged as a strong presidential contender in 2007. Initially detained in March 2018, Lee had been released on bail as he awaited the Supreme Court’s ruling; with his sentence upheld, he is now scheduled to return to prison on Nov. 2.

The Supreme Court’s second division under Justice Park Sang-ok produced a decision on Oct. 29 upholding an original ruling sentencing Lee to 17 years in prison, 13 billion won (US$11.46 million) in fines, and over 5.78 billion won (US$5.1 million) in penalties on changes including bribe acceptance, misappropriation of funds, and violation of the Political Funds Act. The court dismissed the appeal on the grounds that there was “no error in the original court’s conclusions concerning acknowledgment of the truth of the misappropriation, bribe acceptance, and Political Funds Act violations.”

The Supreme Court concluded that Lee had misappropriated a total of 25.23 billion won (US$22.23 million) of DAS funds between 1991 and 2007. Its decision recognized Lee as having been the de facto owner of DAS, an automobile seat manufacturing company.

The court further acknowledged that Lee had received 8.9 billion won (US$7.84 million) in briberies from Samsung. The Samsung Group paid US litigation costs for DAS beginning in November 2007 -- when Lee’s victory in the 17th presidential election appeared assured -- and continuing through his term. The Supreme Court ruled that the funds constituted bribes as part of a quid pro quo arrangement intended to smooth over a special prosecutors’ investigation surrounding Samsung slush funds and to loosen regulations separating finance and industry.

Also acknowledged as bribes were over 200 million won (US$176,179) received from former Woori Financial Group Chairman Lee Pal-sung in connection with reappointment; US$100,000 from former National Intelligence Service Director Won Sei-hoon along with a request for conveniences in connection with his duties; and 200 million won from former lawmaker Kim So-nam in exchange for nomination for a proportional representation seat.

In a message shared through attorney Kang Hoon after the Supreme Court’s ruling, Lee declared, “The rule of law has collapsed. I am concerned for the country’s future.”

“I faced the trial because of my expectation that the judiciary would be the last bulwark of liberal democracy. But the Supreme Court was neither fair nor just,” he added, expressing his dissatisfaction with the ruling.

“The truth will come to light,” he insisted.

The decision upholding the previous rulings means that Lee will have to serve out the remainder of his prison sentence. Originally detained on Mar. 22, 2018, he was released on bail on Mar. 6 of the following year. He was detained once again after an appellate court ruling on Feb. 19 of this year, but released after six days after the suspension of the detention’s enforcement. In total, he spent roughly 11 months and 20 days in prison -- meaning there are 16 years in his sentence left to complete.

By Jang Pil-su, staff reporter

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