The trial of yet another disgraced former South Korean president starts this afternoon.<br />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.<br /> He's also suspected of embezzling money from an auto parts company that he's believed to have secretly controlled.<br />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.<br />Lee was arrested in March,... and is Korea'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 the court found her guilty on separate corruption charges. <br />
