This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7256019.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
S Korea president-elect cleared | S Korea president-elect cleared |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak has been cleared of fraud allegations following an inquiry. | South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak has been cleared of fraud allegations following an inquiry. |
"We found the president-elect was not involved in stock manipulation," Special Prosecutor Chung Ho-young said. | "We found the president-elect was not involved in stock manipulation," Special Prosecutor Chung Ho-young said. |
The announcement comes four days before Mr Lee, who won a general election in December 2007, is due to be sworn in. | |
During the campaign he had denied allegations linking him to a 2001 share-rigging scandal, for which an ex-business partner of his is on trial. | During the campaign he had denied allegations linking him to a 2001 share-rigging scandal, for which an ex-business partner of his is on trial. |
He was alleged to have links to the investment firm at the centre of the scandal. | |
Prosecutors had already ruled that they had no evidence against Mr Lee in early December. | Prosecutors had already ruled that they had no evidence against Mr Lee in early December. |
LEE MYUNG-BAK PROBE 5 Dec: Probe by prosecutors clears Mr Lee19 Dec: Mr Lee wins landslide victory in polls10 Jan: Constitutional court orders special investigation21 Feb: Probe by special prosecutor clears Mr Lee | |
But lawmakers subsequently voted to re-open the case when a video emerged in which the president-elect was shown apparently saying he had established the scandal-hit company. | |
Mr Lee said his words had been taken out of context. | |
The probe also cleared Lee Myung-bak of claims that he had purchased a plot of land under a false name. | |
"Allegations that the president-elect owned the land by using borrowed names are groundless," Mr Chung said. | |
'Work harder' | |
In a statement, the president-elect welcomed the decision. | |
"I thank the people who have given me trust and support so far," he said. | |
"I think the way to repay this is to work harder and devote myself to serving the people and saving the nation's economy." | |
Mr Lee takes office on 25 February, following his landslide victory in polls late last year. | |
International leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are expected to attend his inauguration. | |
Mr Lee, a former Hyundai executive who heads the conservative Grand National Party, has promised to revive the economy and take a tougher line towards North Korea. |
Previous version
1
Next version