SOUTH KOREAN prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for ex-president Lee Myung Bak over allegations of bribery, embezzlement and other charges, officials said today.

Mr Lee, a conservative former Hyundai executive who governed from 2008 to 2013, is the latest South Korean leader to be entangled in scandals after leaving office.

His conservative successor, Park Geun Hye, was removed from office and jailed last year in a separate corruption scandal. Prosecutors demanded a 30-year prison term last month for Ms Park.

South Korean media say judges will probably decide on whether to have Mr Lee arrested by Wednesday night at the earliest.

Prosecutors accuse Mr Lee of taking a total of 11 billion won (£7.5 million) in bribes from his own intelligence agency, business groups and a former MP.

Prosecutors also allege Mr Lee used a car parts maker as a channel to establish illicit slush funds totalling 30bn won (£20m).

Mr Lee has called the allegations political revenge by the current government of President Moon Jae In, who was the chief of staff of an MP who committed suicide during a corruption probe started by Mr Lee’s government.