Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Wan Koo Reportedly Guilty Of Receiving Illegal Funds

by Diana Tomale / Jan 31, 2016 08:31 PM EST

Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Wan Koo involved in bribery scandal. (Photo by Chung Sung Jun/Getty Images)

Last year, then-Prime Minister Lee Wan Koo stepped down from his position amid bribery scandal. The Huffington Post reported April 27 that Lee decided to resign two months after taking the position after being involved in a corruption scandal along with a dead entrepreneur and other high-profile personalities.

Businessman Sung Wan Jong revealed before committing suicide that he handed Lee more than $27,000 (30 million won) in 2013. The former chairman of Keangnam Enterprises took his own life on April 9 and left a note that accused eight high-profile politicians in a bribery scandal.

Aside from that, he also made a statement to a Kyunghyang reporter over the phone linking the former Prime Minister to the controversy.

Although Lee denied the allegation, the former Prime Minister was convicted Friday for allegedly receiving illegal funds from Sung.

Korea Joongang Daily reported Saturday that Lee was sentenced to an eight-month imprisonment by the Seoul Central District Court. He will also be suspended for two years and will pay $25,000 (30 million won) for breaching the Political Fund Act.

"Evidence including Sung's interview records, and a reporter and his secretaries' testimonies are believed to be authentic," the court said, as noted by Korea Times Friday. "We found that there were detailed circumstances which prove the reliability of Sung's testimony without false interference from others."

Despite this, Lee said he will appeal to clear his name from the controversy.

"I will lodge an appeal to prove my innocence," Lee said after the court's decision. "Separate from the ruling, I will not run in the upcoming general election in April."

Aside from Lee, seven other names are reportedly involved in the bribery scandal. These include South Gyeongsang Province Governor Hong Joon Pyo and Rep. Hong Moon Jong; Busan Mayor Seo Byung Soo; Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong Bok; Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Byung Kee; and two ex-chiefs of staff Huh Tae Yeol and Kim Ki Choon.