President Lee Myung-bak plans to outline his plan for the remaining year of his five-year term during a press conference next week, during which he is also expected to make some apologetic remarks on corruption scandals involving his close associates.

“The president plans to hold a news conference to mark the final year of his presidential term around next Wednesday,” Lee’s spokesperson Park Jeong-ha told reporters.

“He will explain his determinations and thoughts, as he is now running through the final year, and ways to overcome the global economic crisis.”

Lee is also to talk about what he experienced from his recent eight-day trip to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which was aimed at ensuring a stable supply of oil as the country is under pressure to cut oil imports from Iran.

Political observers predicted that Lee would also use part of the hour-long, nationally-televised conference to express his feelings and thoughts over a series of scandals involving his confidants.

Last Friday, senior presidential secretary for political affairs Kim Hyo-jae offered to resign over allegations that he was involved in the ruling party’s high-profile vote-buying scandal.

Former Korea Communications Commission Chairman Choi See-joong, dubbed Lee’s political mentor, resigned last month amid corruption allegations involving his former aide at the commission. His elder brother Rep. Lee Sang-deuk of the ruling Saenuri Party is also suspected of having amassed illicit political funds.

In a New Year address to the nation, Lee expressed regrets over the corruption scandals in a roundabout way.

During the press conference, Lee is also expected to touch on a series of populist policy plans political parties have churned out recently ahead of the April 11 general elections.

Lee has expressed concern over the plans including a move to enact a special law to compensate victims of the 18 suspended local savings banks.

Also expected to be talked about is the government’s all-out efforts to stamp out school violence. He could call for cooperation from all parts of society to curb violence at school, which has led to a series of suicides.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)