By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Kim Kyung-joon, a former business partner of President Lee Myung-bak, was sentenced to 18 months in prison Friday.
Seoul Central District Court charged Kim with violation of public official election law and fabrication of private documents.
Kim was indicted on charges of embezzling 31 billion won in corporate funds, rigging stock prices and forging passports while running BBK and Optional Ventures Korea six years ago. Kim and Lee were business partners, and Kim claimed Lee took part in the stock price manipulation as the actual owner of BBK.
``As much as Kim's groundless allegations have affected the presidential campaign by tarnishing a particular candidate, the fact that Kim regrets his wrongdoings have made the punishment rather light,'' a court official said.
Kim's stock rigging and embezzlement cases are still undergoing an appeal.