President's Ex-Aide Held on Charges of Graft

A former aide to President Roh Moo Hyun was arrested on charges of receiving bribes from one of South Korea's largest conglomerates. Choi Do Sool is accused of taking $956,000 in bribes from SK Group, South Korea's third-largest conglomerate, shortly after Roh won election in December.

The arrest came days after Roh announced plans to hold a national referendum to gauge public trust in his presidency.

Choi denied the allegation before being taken to a Seoul prison but said he wished to apologize to Roh and South Koreans.