Supporters of South Korea's former President Park Geun-hye shout slogans and hold posters demanding her release from prison outside the Supreme Court in southern Seoul on Jan. 14, 2021. (Photo: Yonhap News)
The Supreme Court has upheld a 20-year prison term for former President Park Geun-hye, wrapping up a high-profile corruption case that removed her from office in 2017.
Thursday's ruling means Park will serve a combined 22 years behind bars, including a separate conviction for illegally meddling in her party's candidate nominations ahead of the parliamentary elections in 2016.
She was also ordered to pay a fine of 18 billion won while the decision to clear her of extortion and some power abuse charges were maintained.
Park was convicted of colluding with her longtime confidante, Choi Soon-sil, to take billions of won in bribes from conglomerates, including Samsung and Lotte, while she was president from 2013 to 2016.
She was also indicted on charges of accepting illegally monthly funds from her spy chiefs that were diverted out of the National Intelligence Service's budget.
The finalization of Park's prison term also makes her eligible for a special presidential pardon.
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