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.

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 December's election, is due to be sworn in. 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 an investment firm at the centre of the scandal. 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.
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. 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
He said his words had been taken out of context. 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.