Park Yeon-cha |
Prosecutors have demanded a four-year jail term and a 30 billion won ($24.4 million) fine for a businessman and one-time financial supporter of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun on graft and other charges, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Park Yeon-cha, head of shoemaker Taekwang Industry, was indicted last year on charges of evading some 29 billion won in taxes and bribing politicians and government officials, including a former presidential secretary, in return for business favors.
Prosecutors sought the punishment for Park in a written statement Tuesday after the trial ended in early July, an unusual procedure in criminal suits. The prosecution reportedly sought leniency for Park due to his cooperation in the investigation. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.
After Park's arrest, the late president and his family had come under investigation on suspicion of having received money from the tycoon. Roh took his own life in the midst of the probe in late May, sparking public criticism that the prosecution was politically motivated and had dealt too harshly with the former leader.
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