Ex S. Korean Leader
To face Trial
South
Korea's former Prime Minister, Han Myeong-sook, indicted last
week for alleged bribery, is to stand trial with her suspected
accomplice.
Reports from Seoul says the Seoul Central District Court has
decided to put her on trial with Kwak Young-wook, a former CEO
of state-run Korea Coal Corporation suspected of giving Han
50,000 U.S. dollars in kickbacks.
Following discussions with the ex-prime minister's lawyer, the
court made the decision as Han's lawyer requested it to speed up
the trial and verification of the charges brought against the
two suspects.
The country's first and only female prime minister has been
booked, without being detained for allegedly taking bribe from
Kwak in return for helping him get the top post at the company.
She has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Having served as prime minister under the administration of late
former President Roh Moo-hyun from April 2006 to March 2007, Han
currently sits as a senior adviser to the main opposition
Democratic Party, which says investigation into the case is
politically motivated.
The ex-businessman implicated in the scandal is currently under
arrest on embezzlement charges.
NAN/Yinka
