CONDEMNATION OF THE HERITIER

DE SAMSUNG M.LEE

FIVE YEARS OF PRISON

Ms. Parka's successor , Moon Jae-In promised to eradicate corruption between political and economic powers.

Samsung, which weighs one-fifth of GDP, is by far the first of these chaebol-s Korean conglomerates- of the fourth economy in Asia, which have always maintained unhealthy links with political power.

That is why Mr. Lee, 49, was found guilty of corruption, abuse of social good, perjury and sentenced to five years in prison in connection with payments to Park's shadow confidante, Choi Soon- Sil.

For the South Korean justice the heir to the empire Samsung paid a total of 8.9 million won (6.6 million euros) for the support of the government during the generational handover at the top of the group following his father's heart attack in 2014.

"He offered bribes in response to the insistent demands of the president," the court said despite the denials of the accused. Regarding another 22 million won to foundations controlled by Ms. Choi, it was relaxed to the extent that the judges felt that Samsung had been obliged to obey the wishes of the presidency.

Two other senior executives were also sentenced.

Mr. Lee's advice will appeal the decision.