Former South Korean President Park’s Legal Saga Ends as Court Upholds Jail Term

SEOUL—South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld a two-10 years jail time period for former President Park Geun-hye, in a ruling that brings an conclude to her yearslong legal saga.

Ms. Park, 68, was also fined eighteen billion Korean gained, or $16.4 million, for her function in a corruption scandal that ensnared some of the country’s prime politicians and business enterprise leaders.

Ms. Park initial came under scrutiny in 2016 immediately after prosecutors alleged she experienced shared confidential documents with her longtime confidante and colluded with her to extort tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars from business enterprise groups like Samsung and Hyundai. The allegations prompted monthslong protests in which hundreds of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets demanding Ms. Park’s resignation. Ms. Park was impeached in late 2016 and taken out from office the pursuing 12 months.

The corruption scandal involving Ms. Park put a highlight on the typically near ties between the federal government and household-run firms, known as chaebols, that dominate the financial system. The investigation shook the country’s political and business enterprise establishments, main to community hearings and the jailing of outstanding figures like Samsung’s de facto leader, Lee Jae-yong.

Mr. Lee, the grandson of Samsung’s founder, was convicted on charges which includes bribery and embezzlement in 2017. He was launched from jail the pursuing 12 months on a suspended sentence and is anticipating a retrial ruling on his case following week.