Fmr Pres. Lee Myung-bak denies corruption charges at trial's first hearing
Arirang News
2018-05-24
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Yet another former South Korean leader was in the dock on criminal charges on Wednesday.
This time is was ex-president Lee Myung-bak,... who faces over a dozen charges, including embezzlement, bribery and abuse of power.
Oh Soo-young reports.
Former President Lee Myung-bak rejected the corruption charges against him at his trial's first hearing Wednesday.
Lee testified for 12 minutes at the Seoul Central District Court, where the hearing began at 2 p.m.
Four of his attorneys and eight members of the prosecution were there to explain to the court how they will make their cases.
The former leader has been indicted on a total of 16 charges.
These include taking almost eleven million U.S. dollars in bribes -- 650-thousand dollars from the country's intelligence agency,... and six-point-three million from Samsung Electronics through auto parts company DAS,... which he's widely suspected of secretly owning.
Prosecutors also say the former leader embezzled some 32 million dollars mostly through DAS to fund political campaigns and his household expenses.
The 76-year-old on Wednesday denied having or receiving illicit funds, as well as his alleged links to DAS.
The former conservative leader also dismissed allegations that he granted Samsung Chairmain Lee Kun-hee a special pardon from prison, in return for the millions in kickbacks.
The ex-leader has insisted that the ongoing probe targeting him and his associates is an act of political retaliation by the current liberal government.
However, experts say Lee's all-out denial is unlikely to affect the course of the trial, especially as prosecutors have said they secured incriminating evidence.
"One of the most important points will be revealing the ownership of DAS. Regardless of his denial, prosecutors would present comprehensive evidence regarding the flow of money and employees at the firm."
Other charges against former President Lee include abuse-of-power, tax evasion, and violating laws on presidential records.
His attendance in court marked his first public appearance in 62 days,... after he was arrested due to the risk that he might destroy evidence.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
This time is was ex-president Lee Myung-bak,... who faces over a dozen charges, including embezzlement, bribery and abuse of power.
Oh Soo-young reports.
Former President Lee Myung-bak rejected the corruption charges against him at his trial's first hearing Wednesday.
Lee testified for 12 minutes at the Seoul Central District Court, where the hearing began at 2 p.m.
Four of his attorneys and eight members of the prosecution were there to explain to the court how they will make their cases.
The former leader has been indicted on a total of 16 charges.
These include taking almost eleven million U.S. dollars in bribes -- 650-thousand dollars from the country's intelligence agency,... and six-point-three million from Samsung Electronics through auto parts company DAS,... which he's widely suspected of secretly owning.
Prosecutors also say the former leader embezzled some 32 million dollars mostly through DAS to fund political campaigns and his household expenses.
The 76-year-old on Wednesday denied having or receiving illicit funds, as well as his alleged links to DAS.
The former conservative leader also dismissed allegations that he granted Samsung Chairmain Lee Kun-hee a special pardon from prison, in return for the millions in kickbacks.
The ex-leader has insisted that the ongoing probe targeting him and his associates is an act of political retaliation by the current liberal government.
However, experts say Lee's all-out denial is unlikely to affect the course of the trial, especially as prosecutors have said they secured incriminating evidence.
"One of the most important points will be revealing the ownership of DAS. Regardless of his denial, prosecutors would present comprehensive evidence regarding the flow of money and employees at the firm."
Other charges against former President Lee include abuse-of-power, tax evasion, and violating laws on presidential records.
His attendance in court marked his first public appearance in 62 days,... after he was arrested due to the risk that he might destroy evidence.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
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