Family of South Korean ex-leader promises $156 million for fines

Chun Jae-guk (C), the eldest son of former South Korean president Chun Doo Hwan, bows before a news conference at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in Seoul September 10, 2013. The family of former South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan on Tuesday pledged more than 170 billion won for fines he owes from corruption convictions, bowing to pressure from a public prosecutor armed with a tougher anti-graft law. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

SEOUL (Reuters) - The family of former South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan on Tuesday pledged more than 170 billion won (99.5 million pounds) for fines he owes from corruption convictions, bowing to pressure from a public prosecutor armed with a tougher anti-graft law.

The new law followed growing public anger over a climate of impunity for the powerful that was seen as enabling political and business leaders convicted of corruption to get off lightly.