S. Korean president offers public apology for brother's corruption

The Jakarta Post, Asia News Network (The Korea Herald), Seoul, Tue, July 24 2012

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak bows during a press conference at
 the presidential house in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday. Lee apologized to
 the nation Tuesday over a string of bribery scandals involving his former aides and
elder brother. (AP/Yonhap, Kim Byung-man)

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday made a public apology for his brother's involvement in receiving bribes from savings banks.

"Fellow Koreans, disgraceful incidents have recently happened to my family and surroundings and caused so much anxiety to people," Lee said.

"I bow my head and extend my apology for causing anxiety to people due to these incidents."

He said he had thought about waiting for the results of the prosecutors' investigation.

However, he said he thought it was right to offer a sincere apology to the Korean people first.

Lee’s elder brother, Lee Sang-deuk, was arrested for receiving 300 million won (US$261,000) from the chairman of Solomon Savings Bank before the December 2007 presidential election.

Although the former six-term lawmaker was indicted for bribery, the money he received is believed to have been spent on his younger brother’s presidential campaign.

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