By Kim Hyun-bin



Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin was given a suspended sentence Friday after being found guilty of bribery involving former President Park Geun-hye, and was released from prison.



The Seoul High Court sentenced Shin to two-and-a-half years in prison suspended for four years.



Upon the ruling, the chairman was released from confinement after 234 days behind bars.



Shin was arrested and indicted for "donating" 7 billion won to the K-Sports Foundation, run by Park's close confidante Choi Soon-sil, in exchange for favors for Lotte group to obtain licenses to operate duty free stores in the capital.



The donation was made after March 2016 when Shin had an exclusive meeting with Park and K-Sports Foundation officials. But was returned in June that year, just before the prosecution conducted a search of the group.



The court acknowledged the 7 billion won as a bribe and declared him guilty.



However, it added that Park asked for the payment and Shin was in a difficult position to reject the demand.



"The president first requested the payment and Shin passively agreed. He feared that the group would face disadvantages in business if he refused the request," the court said. "As his freedom of decision-making was restricted somehow, it is difficult to strictly hold him accountable for the bribe."



The appellate court dealt with not only the bribery involving former President Park but also other corruption charges regarding his management of the company.



Shin was accused of helping members of his family take 50 billion won from Lotte affiliates in salaries, causing 130 billion won in financial damage to other affiliates.



The court partially accepted breach of trust charges, but cleared him of helping the family pocket the money.



Lotte Group released a statement shortly after the sentence was given welcoming the move. "We respect the wise ruling of the court. We will become a company that works to contribute to the country's economy and take societal responsibility," Lotte Group said.



