Prosecutors Seek Life Term For Roh

Prosecutors had demanded life in prison for Roh.

They are also appealing against, what they called, lenient sentences handed to former presidential aides and one-time generals.

Prosecutors had seven days to appeal the court judgements handed down last Monday.

Local media have quoted prosecutors as saying that apart from a death sentence handed to Roh's predecessor Chun Doo Hwan, they are unhappy with the outcome of what was dubbed the trial of the century.

Sentenced with Roh and Chun were 13 former generals, nine business tycoons plus former administration aides. One ex-general was acquitted.

The Seoul District Criminal Court sentenced Chun and Roh over a 1979 military coup, an army massacre the following year in the city of Kwangju and for pocketing bribes.

 

The former president was spared death because of his role in bringing democracy to South Korea, the court said.