18:37, 06-Apr-2018
Park Geun-hye Verdict: Former South Korean president faces 24 years in prison
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Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been sentenced to 24 years in prison, after being found guilty of abuse of power, bribery and coercion.
KIM SE-YUN CHIEF JUDGE "We declare a verdict on the defendant Park Geun-hye. The court sentences the defendant Park Geun-hye to 24 years in prison and fines her 18 billion won. If the defendant fails to pay the fine, the defendant should be imprisoned in a workhouse on a fine default."
A year ago, a corruption scandal ignited massive protests leading to her arrest and removal from office. Park did not attend Friday's verdict, citing an illness that hasn't specified publicly. Prosecutors had wanted a 30-year prison sentence. Park has one week to appeal. Her scandal has so far landed in jail the heads of South Korea's largest conglomerates, including Samsung.