The mayor of South Korea's second city has hanged himself in jail while awaiting the verdict of his trial on corruption charges, officials said. Busan mayor Ahn Sang-young, 64, was found hanging from a cord made with his undershirt in a cell at Busan Detention House in the southern port city. He was arrested in October on charges of taking 100 million won (85,600 US dollar) in bribes from a construction firm. Prosecutors were said to be seeking a 10-year prison sentence. Ahn - who won his second four-year term as mayor in 2002 - was also being investigated over separate allegations he took 300 million won (256,400 US dollar) in bribes from another company. The Associated Press said he had been in the prison's medical ward with digestive problems while waiting for his trial verdict. Ahn was one of many politicians and business leaders in South Korea being investigated in illicit political funding scandals, the BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul reports. Six associates of President Roh Moo-hyun and 14 members of parliament have been accused so far. Opposition politicians are demanding an investigation alleging that the mayor was charged after refusing to join the party of President Roh, our correspondent says. Political tensions are expected to grow in the run-up to general elections in April. President Roh says he is cleaner than his opponent, but his reputation as a crusader against corruption has been badly tarnished, our correspondent adds. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Busan.