SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- A special prosecutor
charged with investigating corruption allegations against South Korean
President-elect Lee Myung-bak announced on Thursday that Lee is cleared of all
charges.
Chung Ho-young, the special prosecutor appointed by outgoing President Roh Moo-hyun, speaks to the media during a nationally televised news conference regarding President-elect Lee Myung-bak's securities fraud allegations in Seoul Feb. 21, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
"We've reached the final destination of discovering
the truth and clearing the allegations," Chung Ho-young, the special prosecutor
appointed by outgoing President Roh Moo-hyun, said at a nationally televised
news conference after wrapping up a 40-day probe.
The South Korean government launched special
investigation in late December into financial fraud allegations including Lee
set up the now-defunct investment consulting company BBK and was a collaborator
in the stock price- fixing and embezzlement allegedly committed by Kim
Kyung-joon, who is already under arrest.
Kim was indicted on Dec. 5 on charges of stock price
manipulation, embezzlement and document forgery related to the BBK, while
prosecutors said they found no evidence linking Lee to the case.
However, Chung Ho-young said Thursday that Lee was
found to have no involvement in the stock manipulation.
"The crime was committed by Kim alone. There's no
evidence that the president-elect was involved in the embezzlement or shared in
the proceeds," Chung said.
"It's a good thing that all the allegations were
cleared away again and that the new government can have a fresh beginning," Lee
was quoted as saying by his spokesman Joo Ho-young following the conclusion.
"I'd like to return my gratitude by serving the
people with a sincere heart and dedicating myself to reviving the national
economy," Lee said.
Thursday's conclusion on Lee's fraud allegation was
regarded to help Lee clear his way towards economic reform and government
restructure during his administration.
Lee's Grand National Party hailed the conclusion and
expected victory in April's parliamentary elections.
Lee, who won the presidential election on Dec. 19
last year, will take office on next Monday. The former Seoul mayor and former
CEO of Hyundai Construction & Engineering had vowed to revive South Korea's
economy and to remain reconciliation with the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea.
South Korean President-elect Lee
Myung-bak (L) of the conservative main opposition Grand National Party
waves his hand to supporters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 19,
2007. (Xinhua/Newsis Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's National
Election Commission announced on Wednesday that Lee Myung-bak of the
conservative Grand National Party won the presidential elections.
"Thank you. Today's victory (in election) is neither my personal victory, nor my party's victory. It belongs to all the South Korean people," Lee said at a celebration with his supporters in downtown Seoul after the announcement by National Election Commission (NEC).
