ED No more disgraced president
Former head of state Lee should apologize to people
The country's top court upheld Thursday a lower court ruling that convicted ex-President Lee Myung-bak of embezzlement and taking bribes from a conglomerate and sentenced him to 17 years in prison. This means the Supreme Court has confirmed the principle that everyone is equal before the law. Lee should now be imprisoned to serve his remaining sentence after he was released in February on bail after staying in jail for one year.
The court released a statement that read: “We find nothing wrong with the appeals court ruling that confirmed the embezzlement and receiving of bribes.” Lee was found guilty of embezzling 25.2 billion won ($22 million) from DAS, a car parts company which he owned, and taking 8.9 billion won from Samsung in return for extending a special pardon for the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee.
He was also charged with taking bribes from former Woori Financial Chairman Lee Pal-seong and former lawmaker Kim So-nam in exchange for providing them with public posts. The court also took issue with Lee receiving money from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and using it for private purposes.
The court's ruling is appropriate given the need to punish Lee for abusing his authority as the incumbent president for his personal interest, and breaking the law. Despite the appropriateness, Lee, however, triggered public anger by claiming “the court's ruling is unfair and broke the rule of law.” Lee just tried to evade responsibility, notwithstanding the apparent misdeeds confirmed by the courts. We urge Lee to admit his wrongdoing immediately and appeal for forgiveness from the people. He even said the case raised concerns over the future of the nation.
The country has seen former heads of state put in prison in connection with corruption and bribery cases, which is a humiliation for the nation and the people. Former President Park Geun-hye is serving a prison term, three years after she was sentenced to 20 years in jail in July on various charges. This may be sad fact for Park's supporters. But they should refrain from claiming the court's proper ruling as political oppression.
They should obey the court's decision as Park should get due punishment for exploiting her authority and violating the law with the goal of pursuing her own benefits. There is growing need to relentlessly crack down on irregularities committed by powerful figures. There can be no exception in enforcing the law.
Those serving in institutions of power such as Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea should learn lessons from the cases of the formers presidents so that such misfortunes will not happen again. And Lee should assume a humble attitude instead of brazenly claiming his innocence despite the proven facts. This can be the starting point for the country not to repeat its past mistakes.