S. Korea's Park jailed for 24 years over corruption

Seoul - She was not present in court for Friday's judgement.

South Korea's disgraced former president Park Geun-hye was jailed for 24 years on Friday for corruption, completing a dramatic fall from grace for the country's first woman leader who became a figure of public fury and ridicule.
A trial which lasted more than 10 months and highlighted shady links between big business and politics in South Korea ended with Park being found guilty on multiple criminal charges, including bribery and abuse of power.
Park's successor described the sentencing as a "heartbreaking event" for both the nation and the ex-leader herself.
"The accused abused the power bestowed by the people - the true ruler of this country - to cause chaos in national administration," said Judge Kim Se-yoon, delivering the ruling.
Park, 66, was convicted of receiving or demanding more than $20 million from conglomerates, sharing secret state documents, 'blacklisting' artists critical of her policies, and firing officials who resisted her abuses of power.
"Despite all these crimes, the accused denied all the charges against her, displayed no remorse and showed an incomprehensible attitude by blaming Choi and other... officials," Kim said, referring to Park's secret confidante and long-time friend Choi Soon-sil.
Park was also ordered to pay a fine of 18 billion won ($17 million).
When the wide-ranging corruption scandal broke last year it prompted massive street protests against Park across the country.
On Friday, the verdict was greeted with public displays of outrage and grief by several hundred Park supporters who had gathered outside the courthouse.
Many protesters sat or lay in the road crying, while others formed a protest rally calling for her release.
"The rule of law in this country is dead today," said Han Geun-hyung, a 27-year-old Park supporter.
Park herself was not in court for Friday's judgement which, in a rare move, was broadcast live on television. She had boycotted most sessions of the trial in protest at being held in custody.