Lee's brother detained over bribery charges

Home > National > Politics

print dictionary print

Lee's brother detained over bribery charges

테스트


President Lee Myung-bak's elder brother was jailed early Wednesday morning after a Seoul court issued a warrant to arrest him on bribery charges.
Lee Sang-deuk, a former lawmaker of the ruling party, has become the first brother of a sitting president to be put under arrest in modern Korean history, dealing a serious blow to President Lee, who is fighting lame-duck status in his final months in office.

The Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday approved the prosecutors' request for the arrest warrant for the elder Lee, who allegedly took 600 million won (US$525,000) from chairmen of two troubled savings banks -- Solomon Savings Bank and Mirae Savings Bank -- from 2007 to 2011 in return for helping them avoid regulatory audits and punishment.

"Lee's crimes have been ascertained and there is a reasonable concern that the suspect might attempt to destroy evidence, considering his status and political influence," said Park Byoung-sam, a judge at the Seoul court.

Immediately after the issuance of the arrest warrant, the elder Lee, who was waiting at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO), was taken to the Seoul
Detention Center on the southern outskirts of Seoul.

"I'm sorry," Lee said briefly before leaving the SPO building, when asked by reporters what he would say to the president.

The court decision came after the elder Lee, formerly a six-term legislator of the conservative Grand National Party, now re-named the Saenuri Party, attended a hearing that reviewed whether he is likely to flee or destroy evidence.

Dozens of angry citizens who lost savings bank deposits upon the regulatory suspension of the cash-squeezed banks hurled eggs at the elder Lee as he entered the court. One of them briefly grabbed Lee by the collar, accusing him of playing a role in the series of savings bank failures in recent years.

YONHAP
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)