Former South Korean president Lee appears for questioning over graft charges

Former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak appeared for questioning on Wednesday over allegations he took bribes when he was in office, following months of investigations into his family and acquaintances over the graft charges.

Lee made his way before hundreds of reporters waiting outside the prosecutors’ office to ask him questions in the latest top-level political corruption scandal to rock the country.

“I stand before you today with a tragic heart. I offer my deepest apology to the



people for causing worry amid times when the economy is in hardship and the situation surrounding the Korean peninsula is serious,” Lee said.

“I have much to say as a former president, but I keep telling myself I should refrain from saying much,” he added.

Lee faces almost 20 charges and the prosecution believe he took around 11 billion won unlawfully from a number of institutions and individuals including the country’s National Intelligence Service and Samsung Group.