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Former Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul on Thursday afternoon after the final hearing in his trial for tax evasion and breach of trust./Yonhap
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Prosecutors demanded a seven-year jail term and W350 billion (US$1=W1,003) fine for ex-Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee, who is on trial for tax evasion and breach of trust.
In the final hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court on Thursday, special counsel Cho Joon-woong, who led an investigation of the Samsung corruption scandal, demanded the penalty, saying, "This is a case in which the CEO of the country's largest chaebol caused a huge loss to his conglomerate and evaded enormous amounts of tax by mobilizing his secretariat for his own personal profit."
Chaebol, or family-owned conglomerates ¡°have been a kind of sanctuary. But now no organization should be allowed to commit illegalities. However, I am seeking the penalty in light of Samsung's contribution to the development of the national economy and (Lee¡¯s) payment of the evaded tax."
Prosecutors sought a five-year prison term for ex-Samsung vice chairman Lee Hak-soo and former Samsung Electronics president Kim In-joo, who had been indicted alongside Lee Kun-hee.
In a final statement in court, Lee Kun-hee said, "I was negligent in taking care of my own personal affairs, as I paid attention only to how to compete with foreign businesses. I didn't have enough dialogue with other people. I myself am to blame for everything."
He said he ¡°thought of many things while standing trial. It's natural that I should take all legal and moral responsibility. I earnestly ask the court to be lenient with those who have worked for me."
"The country now is in a difficult economic situation," he said. "Please be lenient with us, so that Samsung's executives and employees, who have dedicated their energy and efforts to the group for the past two decades, do not lose courage but can work hard."
On leaving the courtroom, reporters asked Lee whether he thought the penalty sought was appropriate. Lee replied, "I don't know about the law..."
The district court is expected to sentence Lee and the others at 1:30 p.m. next Wednesday.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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