Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was questioned by prosecutors Wednesday in connection to a massive corruption probe, joining a long list of ex-leaders tainted by scandal.
The 76-year-old Lee is suspected of accepting over $10 million in bribes from the National Intelligence Service, as well as Samsung and other businesses and individuals. The ex-president is also alleged to have embezzled as much as $30 million from auto parts company DAS. Lee's brother is the largest shareholder in DAS, but prosecutors believe Lee actually owns the company.
The conservative Lee, who served as president from 2008 to 2013, publicly apologized when he arrived at the Seoul Central District Office for questioning. "I am deeply sorry for causing concern to public," he said, while offering hope that he will be "the last former president" to face a criminal probe.
Lee has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, calling it "political revenge" by current liberal President Moon Jae-in.
前韩国总统李明博星期三接受检察官员有关一项严重腐败案件调查的问话。此前有很多高层领导人由于卷入丑闻而声誉受损。
今年76岁的李明博被怀疑从韩国国家情报院、三星公司以及其它公司和个人接受了1000万美元的贿赂。还有指称说，李明博从汽车零部件厂商DAS公司贪污了多达3000万美元。李明博的兄弟是DAS公司的最大股东，但是检察官相信李明博是公司实际所有人。
属于保守派的李明博2008年到2013年担任韩国总统。他在抵达首尔中心区检察官办公室接受问话时对引发公众关注表示歉意，并表示希望他是最后一位面临刑事调查的前总统。
李明博在调查期间始终坚称自己无辜，称调查为现任总统文在寅的“政治报复”。