By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak called for efforts Wednesday to strengthen monitoring of corruption cases involving senior government officials, politicians and other social leaders.

"We need to tackle crimes committed by the upper class with a sense of urgency because it is a matter of national pride," Lee said during a joint briefing by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Government Legislation and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on their key policies for next year.

"Rooting out corruption among social leaders is one of the key challenges we face to improve the country's reputation abroad. Their integrity is closely related to national competitiveness."

He urged the government to strengthen the rule of law, saying the country should improve all sectors of society commensurate with its growing economic power, to become an advanced country.

The remarks come as prosecutors investigate a bribery case involving former Prime Minister Han Myung-sook.

Han was indicted Tuesday on charges of taking $50,000 in 2006 from then-Korea Express CEO Kwak Young-wook, who allegedly sought her influence in his efforts to become CEO of a state-owned company, according to prosecutors. Han has denied the bribery charges.

"If the rule of law is broken, there will be no democracy, no human rights and no public safety," President Lee said.

The administration plans to evaluate the integrity of some 2,000 senior officials in government and at public firms beginning next year, and make public their rankings in a bid to eliminate corruption in officialdom.

Lee has repeatedly called for increased integrity among senior officials and politicians, but critics say he has been lenient on crimes involving businessmen.

Last year, the CEO-turned-President granted special pardons for convicted business leaders, including Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo, SK Energy Chairman Chey Tae-won and Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn.

MBC TV reported Tuesday that the presidential office is planning to grant amnesty this or next week to former Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, who was convicted last year for his involvement in tax evasion and breach of trust.

Business associations have called for a presidential pardon for the former IOC member, saying the country needs him to help PyeongChang win the rights to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr