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Summary The Seoul Central District Court approved prosecutors' request for an arrest of Lee Sang-Deuk.
The elder brother of South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak was arrested and detained early Wednesday pending a corruption trial, in a setback for the conservative ruling party during an election year.The Seoul Central District Court approved prosecutors request for an arrest warrant for Lee Sang-Deuk, a former six-term ruling party lawmaker, over a savings bank scandal.The 76-year-old was taken to a detention centre immediately after the warrant was issued. Angry bank depositors had hurled eggs at him when he arrived at court Tuesday for questioning.Prosecutors allege he took 600 million won ($525,000) from chairmen of two troubled savings banks -- Solomon Savings Bank and Mirae Savings Bank -- between 2007 and 2011 in return for helping them avoid audits and punishment.Lees crimes have been ascertained and there is a reasonable concern that the suspect might attempt to destroy evidence, considering his status and political influence, Judge Park Byoung-Sam said, quoted by Yonhap news agency.Regulators in May suspended four savings banks including Solomon and Mirae, leaving many customers unable to withdraw money.The scandal is the latest in a series of corruption cases involving people close to the president, whose five-year term ends in February 2013. An election for his successor will be held on December 19.Chung Doo-Un, a ruling party lawmaker and a close confidant of the president during the 2007 presidential campaign, was also questioned by prosecutors last week over the saving banks affair.On Wednesday a court request for Chungs arrest was rejected by a vote of 74 to 156 in parliament. South Korean courts need approval from parliament to arrest a lawmaker when it is in session.Lees three presidential predecessors -- Roh Moo-Hyun, Kim Dae-Jung and Kim Young-Sam -- were tarnished by the wrongdoing of close relatives.In May 2009 Roh committed suicide by throwing himself off a cliff after he was questioned as a suspect in a multi-million dollar corruption case.Roh apologised for his familys involvement but did not admit personal wrongdoing.Lee Sang-Deuk was credited as the main contributor to his brothers election, playing the role of a troubleshooter behind the scenes. But critics said he tried to wield too much influence over state affairs.
