Close aide to S. Korean president arrested on bribery charges

A close aide to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was arrested Monday for taking kickbacks from a now-suspended savings bank.

Eun Jin-soo, who stepped down as a commissioner of the Board of Audit and Inspection last week, is accused of taking some 100 million won (92,300 U.S. dollars) in bribes from the Busan Savings Bank, whose operation has been temporarily suspended for financial irregularities and corruption.

He is suspected of attempting to wield his muscle to help the bank get away with irregularities including its illegal loan extensions.

Eun, who worked for the President's 2007 campaign, has reportedly denied charges of influence-peddling but admitted to accepting bribes.

Prosecutors are planning to issue a court-issued warrant against Eun for more questioning, according to reports.

Source: Xinhua

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