Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (함영주) was cleared of allegations of involvement in hiring irregularities after a Supreme Court ruling.
On Jan. 29, the Supreme Court quashed and remanded the obstruction-of-business portion of the ruling against Ham, who had received a guilty verdict, and dismissed all remaining appeals.
Ham previously received a suspended prison sentence at an appeals court for obstruction of business over alleged involvement in hiring irregularities while he was head of Hana Bank. If a custodial sentence or heavier punishment had been finalised at the Supreme Court, he would have had to step down as chairman under relevant laws.
Hana Financial said on Thursday of the Supreme Court ruling, "We express our boundless respect and gratitude for the Supreme Court's fair and just decision."
It added, "With this ruling as an opportunity, Hana Financial Group will, under a stable governance structure, take a lower posture and a humble 마음, carefully look after financially marginalised groups facing hardship and difficulty, and devote even more efforts to productive finance."
Ji-young Lee
ljy@d-today.co.kr