(Dan Tri) – Before being sent to prison in Seoul, former President Lee Myung-bak went through a controversial presidential term involving a series of suspicions of corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and neglect.
Former President Lee My-ung Bak left the Seoul Central Prosecutor’s Office after being summoned for questioning on March 15 (Photo: AP)
On the night of March 22, former President Lee Myung-bak was taken to prison after an emergency arrest order from the Seoul court.
Prosecutors’ investigation into former President Lee Myung-bak focuses on allegations that he accepted bribes and embezzlement, including 11 billion won (about $10 million) from intelligence agencies and other parties.
“It is difficult for Mr. Lee to win in court because the prosecution process has been prepared for many months, including collecting solid evidence as well as testimonies against him.
A series of doubts
Former President Lee Myung-bak shakes hands with UAE leader Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Photo: Korea.net)
Military agreement
The administration of former President Lee Myung-bak won a bid of 18.6 billion USD to build a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2009 and this event was once highly anticipated.
However, according to Diplomat, in order to win this `huge` bidding package, former President Lee Myung-bak is suspected of having signed a secret military agreement with the UAE.
The existence of the above contractual military alliance agreement was recently confirmed by former Defense Minister under former President Lee Myung-bak, making many Koreans angry.
Economic group
Another allegation has also been made regarding the secret relationship between former President Lee Myung-bak and economic corporations.
Despite pursuing different political stances, previous Korean governments always sided with the military and delayed Lotte’s dream of building a skyscraper for 15 years.
Instead of blocking Lotte’s potentially risky project, the Lee Myung-bak administration even adjusted one corner of the military runway.
The project is ineffective
Mr. Lee Myung-bak (second from left) observes the Four Rivers Restoration project model at the exhibition center in Seoul (Photo: Hani)
From 2008-2012, the administration of former President Lee Myung-bak implemented the Four Rivers Restoration project worth 22,000 billion won with the goal of cleaning up, reducing the risk of floods or droughts, and developing
South Korean prosecutors also accused former President Lee Myung-bak of crippling the capabilities of South Korean intelligence.
Former President Lee Myung-bak has so far steadfastly denied the accusations against him, saying that the investigation against him was for political purposes.
“We need to continue our efforts to root out wrongdoing and make Korea a fairer country on the basis of law and principles,” said leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea Choo Mi-
Former President Lee Myung-bak is the fourth South Korean leader to be arrested.
Success
According to Korea Times, Diplomat
Nick John