[Yonhap News Photto]
SEOUL -- South Korea's conservative former president Lee Myung-bak has been ordered to appear for questioning by state prosecutors next week following a three-month probe into alleged wrongdoing under his tenure.
The Prosecutors' Office said Tuesday that Lee, who served as president from 2008 to 2013, was summoned for questioning on March 14 as a suspect. Prosecutors have questioned Lee's family members and key aides. Some aides were accused of receiving illicit money from South Korea's spy agency and businessmen in return for favors.
Lee's aides said Lee was ready to face an interrogation but insisted the date for his appearance at the office of prosecutors should be negotiated.
Lee, 76, has denied any wrongdoing. In January, he slammed a prosecution probe as political retaliation for the death of his predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun, who jumped from a mountain cliff behind his rural home in 2009 following a humiliating probe by prosecutors into alleged corruption involving his family.
President Moon Jae-in refuted Lee's accusation as an "insult" to his administration. The liberal leader had worked as Roh's political soul mate and chief presidential aide.
Lee has been mentioned as the next target of prosecution after his jailed successor, Park Geun-hye, who is on trial for her role in a corruption scandal.
Lee is suspected of owning DAS, an auto parts supplier for Hyundai Motor. Activists claimed Lee is the real owner of DAS, which is controlled by his elder brother and produces seats and seat structures. There have been allegations that DAS embezzled company money and evaded taxes to create a slush fund.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
