Prosecutors seek four-year jail term for former Roh supporter

SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors demanded a four-year prison term and a 30 billion won (US$24.4 million) fine for a businessman and one-time financial supporter of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun on graft and other charges, officials said Wednesday.

Park Yeon-cha, head of shoemaker Taekwang Industry, was indicted last year on
charges of evading some 29 billion won in taxes and bribing politicians and
government officials, including a former presidential secretary, in return for
business favors.
After Park's arrest, the late president and his family had come under
investigation on suspicion of having received money from the tycoon. Roh took his
own life in the midst of the probe in late May, sparking public criticism that
the prosecution was politically motivated and had dealt too harshly with the
former leader.
Prosecutors sought the punishment for Park in a written statement on Tuesday
after the trial ended in early July, an unusual procedure in criminal suits. The
prosecution reportedly sought leniency for Park due to his cooperation in the
investigation.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.
brk@yna.co.kr
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