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