VOA慢速英语--韩国前总统朴槿惠被判24年徒刑

Former South Korean President Park Sentenced to 24 Years

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Park Geun-hye to 24 years in prison for corruption¹.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled Park guilty of bribery², extortion, abuse of power and other charges. The court's chief judge said the punishment was necessary to prevent similar wrongdoing by other presidents in the future.

Along with the prison sentence, Park was fined more than $16 million. The former South Korean leader has one week to appeal the ruling. Park has continued to say she is innocent of any wrongdoing. She says she is a victim of politics.

Government lawyers had demanded a 30-year prison term.

Park was accused of working with her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil to force businesses to give $72 million to start two foundations. Choi controlled both organizations. The two women were also found guilty of taking bribes³ from some of those companies.

Park was removed from office early last year following months of protests. Millions marched calling for her ouster.

She is a daughter of leader Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea for about 18 years until his death in 1979.

I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.

Words in This Story

bribery – n. the act of accepting something valuable in order to get someone to do something

extortion – n. the crime of getting money from someone by the use of force or threats

foundation – n. an organization that is created and supported with money that people give in order to do something that helps society

1 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

2 bribery   

n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿

参考例句：

• FBI found out that the senator committed bribery.美国联邦调查局查明这个参议员有受贿行为。
• He was charged with bribery.他被指控受贿。

3 bribes   

n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• corrupt officials accepting bribes 接受贿赂的贪官污吏