◀ Anchor ▶
Former President Lee Myung-bak, who received a special pardon, left the hospital and returned home today.
It was 2 years and 7 months to fill the actual sentence during the 17-year prison term.
He said he was sorry for causing concern to the public, but an aide said that did not mean that he acknowledged his guilt.
Reporter Jo Hee-won covered the story.
◀ Report ▶
Former President Lee Myung-bak was discharged in a wheelchair from Seoul National University Hospital, where he was hospitalized.
After stopping by Somang Church, I returned to my home in Nonhyeon-dong.
In front of the house, Lee Jae-oh, the People’s Power Standing Advisor, former Chief of Staff Lim Tae-hee, and former Minister Maeng Hyung-gyu, etc. appeared.
Representatives Kwon Seong-dong and Yoon Han-hong, who were of the former Lee Myung-bak family and now Yoon Seok-yeol, also stood out.
Former President Lee gave a message after greeting each person.
[이명박/전 대통령]
“I’m bored and very sorry for causing concern to the people.”
He also said that he would play a role through prayer for the prosperity of the Republic of Korea.
However, there was no specific apology.
[이명박/전 대통령]
“I have nothing more to say now, but I will have a chance to do it in the future.”
Regarding the remark of “I apologize,” an aide to former President Lee said, “Please take it literally. It does not mean that I admit the allegations.”
Former President Lee was sentenced to 17 years in prison for bribery and embezzlement in 2020.
At the time, he said, “The rule of law has collapsed. The Supreme Court was neither fair nor just.”
The Lee Myung-bak family is in charge of key positions to the extent that the Yoon Seok-yeol government is said to be the Lee Myung-bak government season 2.
[권성동/국민의힘 의원]
“There was a saying that you should do a good job supporting the Yoon Seok-yeol government so that it can succeed.”
President Yoon Seok-yeol spoke with former President Lee Myung-bak on the phone for about 3 minutes and said, “Please play a role for the country.”
The Democratic Party criticized, “It seems that the crime is gone because it turns the country upside down by committing injustice and is reinstated if it is pardoned.”
This is MBC News Jo Hee-won.
Video coverage: Kim Dong-se, Heo Won-cheol, Kim Jun-hyeong / Video editing: Yoon Chi-young
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