Former communications minister arrested

Former Information and Communications Minister Lee Suk-Chae was jailed on Monday on charges of abusing his authority by favoring LG Telecom in the selection of mobile phone service operators in 1996. He was accused of using his influence to change the licensing guidelines to help the company.

A Seoul court judge complied with a prosecution request for an arrest warrant against Lee on the grounds that he had failed to disclaim the charges and that he might destroy evidence or flee.

Lee told prosecutors that he informed then President Kim Young-Sam of the need to revise the grading system for screening bidders and that Kim agreed on some of the matters he raised with respect to the selection procedures.

Shin Suk-Ho kyle@donga.com