S. Korea probes presidential front-runner

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The front-runner in South Korea's presidential election is to be investigated on fraud allegations but that may not hurt his bid for the top office.

The country's National Assembly voted Monday to order an independent investigation of Lee Myung-bak, who is alleged to have been involved with a financial company that went bankrupt, resulting in losses of millions of dollars for investors, the Financial Times reported.

Lee, who says he did not own the company, claims he was a victim of fraud committed by a former business partner. A candidate from the conservative Grand National Party, Lee remains ahead of his opponents in polls for Tuesday's presidential election.

The Times report said the investigation could hurt Lee's personal standing, but not likely alter his election's outcome; the latest opinion poll show him almost 30 points ahead of his closest rival.