A South Korean court yesterday sentenced the elder brother of President Lee Myung-Bak to two years in jail after convicting him on corruption charges.
The Seoul Central District Court also ordered Lee Sang-Deuk, 77, to pay fines totalling 750 million won ($701,600) -- the same sum he was found guilty of taking in kickbacks from bankers and a businessman.
Lee, a six-term lawmaker, was arrested in July last year on graft charges and allegedly helping troubled banks avoid audits. His activities were linked to a major corruption scandal in early 2011 when four savings banks were suspended for inadequate liquidity, triggering a wider probe.