Prosecutors demand 20 years in jail for ex-S.Korea president Lee

Prosecutors demanded 20 years in prison for former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak, the most recent of the country's ex-leaders to be embroiled in a criminal inquiry.

The 76-year-old former CEO turned president -- who served from 2008 to 2013 -- faces multiple charges including bribery, abuse of power, embezzlement and tax evasion.

Prosecutors in the Seoul court also called for him to pay a total of 26.1 billion won (USD 23 million) in fines and forfeits.

The case against Lee means all four former South Korean presidents who are still alive have been charged or convicted for criminal offences.

"The accused undermined the tenets of the constitution by taking advantage of his authority as president for his own private gains," prosecutors said in a statement read at the court.

"Consequently, he became the country's fourth president to be arrested for criminal offences, leaving indelible marks on the constitutional history."