Prosecutors appeal Samsung verdict, seek to send Lee to prison

By The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean prosecutors have appealed a court's decision to acquit former Samsung boss Lee Kun-hee on breach of trust charges and spare him from prison for a tax evasion conviction.

Lee, one of the country's richest men and a prominent corporate figure, was convicted earlier this week of not paying 47 billion won ($46 million) in taxes. He was ordered to pay a fine of 110 billion won ($109 million).

However, the Seoul Central District Court declined to sentence him to prison - in keeping with recent leniency by judges in high-profile cases against business leaders - saying his crimes were not serious enough to warrant putting Lee behind bars.

The court also said there was not enough evidence to convict Lee on breach of trust charges, which stemmed from allegations of dubious financial transactions to transfer corporate control to his son.

The office of special prosecutor Cho Joon-woong said Friday the court will forward the appeal to a higher court as early as this month.

Lee, 66, also could appeal but has not yet done so.

He led Samsung as it grew to one of South Korea's most prominent global brands but stepped down in April after his indictment, ending two decades at the company's helm.