Across the World: Republic of Korea

Ex-Samsung chair guilty

A Seoul court ruled on Friday that former Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee was guilty of breach of trust and handed him a suspended prison sentence in another legal blow to the Republic of Korea tycoon. The Seoul High Court sentenced 67-year-old Lee to three years in prison and fined him 110 billion won ($89.2 million) but he won't go to jail if he stays out of trouble for five years. The case centered on charges that Lee caused damage to a Samsung Group company by issuing a type of bond at below market prices.