Seoul District Court sentenced former honorary chairman of Donga Ilbo, Kim Byung-kwan Monday to three years imprisonment and a fine of W4.5 billion on tax evasion and embezzlement charges.
However, the judges ruled that Kim would not be detained pending his appeal, considering his age and the fact his wife committed suicide during the investigation. The daily's former vice president Kim Byung-kon was also handed a three year prison term and fined W50 billion.
While court decision ruled Kim guilty for all charges, the defendant's legal team is preparing an appeal, claiming that the transferring of shares in the Ilmin Culture Foundation was not a violation of the law.
(Lee Myeong-jin, mjlee@chosun.com)
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