With former President Lee Myung-bak's arrest shortly after midnight on Friday, South Korean efforts to clear corruption from its political system have entered a new -- and politically more serious -- phase.
Now facing corruption and embezzlement charges, Lee, who served as president from 2008 to 2013, is seemingly following in the unenviable footsteps of his successor, Park Geun-hye. Removed from office last year after her impeachment on corruption charges, Park is now on trial at Seoul Central District Court, facing the possibility of a 30-year prison sentence if convicted of charges of taking bribes, abusing power and leaking government secrets.
