Brother of Korean president questioned on fiscal irregularities

An elder brother of South Korea's president has been questioned by prosecutors over bribery allegations, dealing a further blow to Lee Myung-bak's administration.Former legislator Lee Sang-deuk appeared at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on Tuesday, and underwent questioning that stretched into the night. Lee Sang  is suspected of receiving at least 500 million won, or about 440,000 dollars, since 2007 from the chairman of a bank in return for influence peddling.

Before entering the prosecutors' office, the president's brother told reporters he would respond sincerely to the questions. But he declined to say if the allegations were true.

The elder Lee had been a heavyweight of the ruling Saenuri Party, but was forced to give up running in the general elections in April due to the bribery scandal.Prosecutors are expected to soon decide whether or not to build a case on the allegations.

Lee Myung-bak is currently serving his last year as president, and his brother's scandal is likely to further undermine his already weakening grip on power.