S Korean President apologizes for graft scandals involving brother, ex-aides

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak apologized to the nation Tuesday over a string of bribery scandals involving his former aides and his elder brother-cum-political mentor, marking the sixth public apology during his single five-year term. "Fellow Koreans, disgraceful incidents have recently happened to my family and surroundings and caused so much anxiety to people," Lee said in nationally televised remarks with a stern expression on his face. "I bow my head and extend my apology for causing anxiety to people due to these incidents," Lee said, without mentioning the names of his elder brother and former aides involved in the corruption scandals. Lee's final year of his presidency saw some of his close aides jailed for money-for-influence scandals. In the latest blow to his waning presidency, an elder brother, Lee Sang-deuk, was arrested on July 11 on suspicions of receiving more than a half million dollars from two troubled savings banks. Prosecutors have been widely expected to indict the elder Lee on Thursday or Friday, according to South Korean Yonhap news agency. The elder Lee, a former six-term lawmaker and considered the most powerful figure behind the Lee administration, has been accused of receiving the money from the savings banks Solomon and Mirae in return for influencing authorities who were investigating the banks. Tuesday's apology had been unscheduled, and presidential officials said earlier in the day that Lee would offer a public apology this week as soon as prosecutors press charges against his elder brother. Lee's single term ends next February, and by law he cannot seek re-election.