Arrest warrant issued for ex south korean president lee over corruption

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Arrest Warrant Issued for Ex-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak over Corruption

A Seoul court has issued an arrest warrant for former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who is accused of corruption and embezzlement. The warrant was issued on Friday, March 12, 2021, after Lee failed to appear in court for questioning.

Lee, who served as president from 2008 to 2013, is accused of taking bribes from a conglomerate, Samsung, in exchange for favors. He is also accused of embezzling funds from a state-run foundation.

The arrest warrant was issued after Lee's lawyers failed to provide a valid reason for his absence from the court hearing. Lee's lawyers had claimed that he was unable to attend the hearing due to health reasons, but the court was not convinced.

If arrested, Lee could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the charges against him.

This is not the first time Lee has faced corruption allegations. In 2018, he was arrested and charged with bribery, embezzlement, and other crimes related to his presidency. He was later released on bail and has been under investigation ever since.

The corruption scandal surrounding Lee has been a major embarrassment for South Korea's political establishment and has led to widespread public outrage.

Background

Lee Myung-bak was a successful businessman before entering politics and was known for his pro-business policies during his presidency. However, his presidency was also marked by allegations of corruption and cronyism.

In 2017, Lee was impeached by the National Assembly over allegations of corruption and abuse of power. He was subsequently arrested and charged with various crimes.

The corruption scandal surrounding Lee has led to a broader investigation into corruption in South Korea's political and business elite. The scandal has also led to calls for greater transparency and accountability in government.

Reactions

The arrest warrant has been met with widespread approval from the public and anti-corruption groups. Many have called for Lee to be held accountable for his alleged crimes.

However, some have expressed concerns about the fairness of the investigation and the potential political motivations behind it.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea has welcomed the arrest warrant, saying that it is a step towards holding corrupt politicians accountable.

The opposition United Future Party has criticized the investigation, saying that it is biased and politically motivated.

Next Steps

Lee's lawyers have said that they will appeal the arrest warrant and continue to fight his extradition.

The investigation into Lee's alleged corruption is ongoing, and it is unclear when he will be arrested and brought to trial.

The scandal surrounding Lee has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in South Korea's political and business elite. It remains to be seen how the investigation will unfold and what consequences Lee will face if convicted.