A KOSPI-listed company chairman, surnamed Lee, has been sentenced to a definite one-year prison term for helping Lee Ki-hoon, a key figure suspected of stock manipulation at Sambu Construction, evade law enforcement.

The Supreme Court's Third Division (Presiding Justice Um Sang-phil) finalized the lower court's ruling against Chairman Lee during his final appeal today (the 23rd).

The sentence has also been finalized for the secretary, surnamed Choi, who was previously fined 5 million won for participating in the crime under Chairman Lee's instructions.

Another accomplice, surnamed Kim, who received a one-year prison sentence in the second trial, previously had their sentence finalized after choosing not to appeal.

Chairman Lee and the others were indicted by the special counsel team led by Independent Counsel Min Joong-ki on charges of providing vehicles and communication means for former Vice Chairman Lee Ki-hoon to move to a hideout when he fled ahead of a court warrant review in July of last year.

Investigations revealed that they provided a mobile phone USIM card and a hideout to the fleeing former vice chairman, and arranged a personal driver for him.

The first trial sentenced Chairman Lee to one year and six months in prison, Kim to one year in prison, and Choi to eight months in prison with two years of probation.

In the second trial, Chairman Lee's sentence was reduced to one year in prison, and Choi's sentence was reduced to a 5--million-won fine.

The appellate court criticized Chairman Lee for systematically dividing roles with Choi and drawing Choi into the crime.

The court pointed out that "it resulted in obstructing the investigation authorities, including the special counsel team led by Independent Counsel Min Joong-ki, by forcing them to invest substantial manpower and time into locating former Vice Chairman Lee," adding that "the degree of culpability is high."

However, the court noted that it took into account mitigating factors, such as the relatively short four-day period former Vice Chairman Lee remained at large due to Chairman Lee's actions and the fact that no separate reward was received.

The Supreme Court also dismissed the appeals, ruling that there were no errors in the lower court's judgment.

(Photo: Yonhap News)