BUSINESS BRIEFS
Hyundai official guilty in scandal
Advertiser Staff and News Services
SEOUL, South Korea — Hyundai Motor Co. Chairman Chung Mong-koo was convicted today of embezzlement and other charges and sentenced to three years in prison over a slush fund scandal that has weighed on South Korea's largest automaker.
Prosecutors, who have been taking a hard line on corruption in South Korea, last month sought a six-year jail term, calling Chung's alleged crimes "grave."
But Judge Kim Dong-oh said the lesser sentence was justified because of Chung's "big contributions to the development of the country's economy" and noted his involvement in charity to atone for his actions.
Still, Kim said Chung's actions were "clearly criminal acts."
A Hyundai Motor spokes-man said that Chung will appeal the verdict.
TWO FORD CARS WIN SAFETY HONORS
WASHINGTON — The 2007 Ford Fusion midsize sedan and the 2007 Ford Edge sport utility vehicle received top scores in front- and side-impact crash testing by the insurance industry.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said today that the Edge, which has the same underpinnings as the Lincoln MKX, also earned its top rating for rear crash protection.
The crossover vehicles received the Institute's Top Safety Pick award, which recognizes vehicles that provide the best overall crash protection.
ZUCKER MAY LEAD NBC UNIVERSAL
LOS ANGELES — Jeff Zucker, who made his mark as executive producer of NBC's "Today" show, is expected to be named chief executive of NBC Universal this week, a newspaper reported yesterday.
Zucker, 41, would succeed Bob Wright, who has headed the network for 21 years, company sources told the Los Angeles Times.
An NBC spokesman did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press yesterday.
The transition would come as NBC Universal angles itself to compete against online forces such as Google, YouTube and MySpace.
