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S Korean candidate probe reopens S Korea assembly to rule on probe
(about 19 hours later)
An investigation into fraud allegations against a leading South Korean presidential candidate has been reopened - just days before the vote. South Korea's Justice Ministry will not re-open an investigation into fraud allegations against a leading presidential candidate, Lee Myung-bak.
President Roh Moo-hyun ordered justice officials to revive the case against conservative frontrunner Lee Myung-bak.
Earlier this month officials cleared him over a stock price manipulation case involving an ex-business partner.Earlier this month officials cleared him over a stock price manipulation case involving an ex-business partner.
A former Hyundai executive who served as mayor of Seoul, Mr Lee, 65, has been tipped to win Wednesday's election. However, the National Assembly is due to vote on an independent inquiry, and appears likely to approve it.
A former Hyundai executive who served as mayor of Seoul, Mr Lee, 65, is tipped to win Wednesday's election.
The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) candidate has a sizeable lead on his two rivals for the top job, polls suggest.The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) candidate has a sizeable lead on his two rivals for the top job, polls suggest.
The GNP accused President Roh of meddling in the election but his office said the move would "relieve public suspicion and regain the prosecution's trust". Independent probe
The president, who leads a liberal coalition, ends his term in February and a victory by Mr Lee would see the GNP return to power for the first time in a decade. On Sunday, the current President Roh Moo-hyun asked Justice Minister Chung Soung-jin to consider re-opening the investigation into Mr Lee in order to "relieve the public suspicion and regain the prosecution's trust".
The GNP accused President Roh of meddling in the election.
The inquiry cleared Mr Lee of involvement in a fraud case involving an investment company called BBK in 2001.
A Justice Ministry official said: "We will be accepting an independent counsel if parliament introduces it."
The governing United New Democratic Party backs the bill to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the allegations against Mr Lee.
President Roh, who leads a liberal coalition, ends his term in February and a victory by Mr Lee would see the GNP return to power for the first time in a decade.
The UNDP candidate, Chung Dong-young, has been badly trailing Mr Lee in opinion polls ahead of Wednesday's vote.
Mr Lee has promised to revive South Korea's economy as well as stronger ties with the US and a tougher line towards North Korea.Mr Lee has promised to revive South Korea's economy as well as stronger ties with the US and a tougher line towards North Korea.