FORMER South Korean president Lee Myung Bak appeared before state prosecutors yesterday for questioning as a “criminal suspect” over corruption charges including bribery.

Mr Lee, who ended his five-year presidential term in February 2013, read a brief statement to say sorry for worrying the people and voiced his hope to be the last president investigated by prosecutors.

Former conservative president Park Geun Hye, Mr Lee’s successor, was removed from office last year for an influence-peddling scandal involving her friend Choi Soon Sil.