The trial of yet another disgraced former South Korean president starts this afternoon.
Preparatory trial proceedings kick off for former president Lee Myung-bak.... over allegations that he took bribes from the state-run intelligence agency and local conglomerates.
He's also suspected of embezzling money from an auto parts company that he's believed to have secretly controlled.
Lee's attendance is not mandatory today,... and given that he has refused to cooperate with the prosecution's request for questioning,... it's unlikely he'll show up for the preparatory proceedings.
Lee was arrested in March,... and is Korea's fourth former leader to face a criminal trial for corruption.
His successor, Park Geun-hye, was sentenced to 24 years in prison last month... after the court found her guilty on separate corruption charges.