South Korea Politics: Former President Lee Myung-bak jailed for 15 years

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Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has been sentenced to 15 years in jail by a court in Seoul. This makes him the latest among a string of high-profile political and business leaders ensnared by corruption charges. Our correspondent Joseph Kim reports from Seoul.

JOSEPH KIM SEOUL "Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined roughly $12 million dollars over charges of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power."

The South Korean court found Lee had received millions of dollars from top companies like Samsung to his intelligence agency at the time of his presidency.

CHUNG KYE-SUN JUDGE, SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT "During the process to disclose the truth in cases that were full of doubt, other crimes Lee Myung-bak had committed during his term of office were also uncovered. The accused evoked mistrust and disappointment in our society, as well as in people who supported and believed in him."

The court added, "Lee bitterly disappointed not only citizens who trusted and supported him but also our entire country."

Lee Myung-bak has denied all wrongdoings and did not show up to court, citing his failing health and in protest of the charges, which he claimed were politically motivated.

JOSEPH KIM SEOUL "But the conviction comes just six months after his successor Park Geun-hye was convicted in a separate corruption scandal. Lee will be the fourth South Korean president to be jailed while he and prosecutors will have up to one week to appeal the sentence. Joseph Kim, CGTN, SEOUL."