Politics Beset by New Bribery Scandal

The nation, still reeling from bribery scandals involving two ex-presidents, was hit by a fresh scandal involving a former defense minister. A government official said that President Kim Young Sam has ordered an investigation into allegations of bribery made against Lee Yang Ho, who lost his job as defense minister in a sweeping ministry reshuffle last week. The main opposition National Congress for New Politics has accused Lee of leaking classified military information on a combat helicopter project to an arms dealer in 1995 in return for $181,000 in bribes. Local media reports said he has denied the allegations.