Korean police seek arrest warrant for ex-vice minister over sex scandal

Police said Wednesday they have sought an arrest warrant for a former vice justice minister who is accused of receiving sexual favors from a local contractor in return for business favors.

Police have been investigating allegations that a number of high-profile figures, including Kim Hak-ui and the head of a local general hospital, received sexual services from a dozen women hired by the 52-year-old construction contractor, surnamed Yoon.

Kim allegedly used his power to influence several court cases in Yoon`s favor in return for the services.

The National Police Agency (NPA) probing the case asked Kim three times to appear for questioning but he has repeatedly ignored the summons, citing health reasons.

"We sought the arrest warrant against the former vice justice minister yesterday afternoon," an NPA officer close to the investigation said, but refused to disclose further details on the charges against Kim.

Only six days after being appointed to the No. 2 position at the Justice Ministry in March, Kim offered to resign after some media reports stated that the police had obtained video evidence that he was one of several influential figures involved in the scandal.

Kim denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the reports as "untrue," but said he was resigning because he could no longer do his job properly with his name disgraced.

Source: ANTARA