Prosecutors widen probe into bribery scandal

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant Saturday for another key aide to a late businessman in a widening probe into a major graft scandal that already caused Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo to offer to step down.

The political world is roiled by the allegations that Sung Wan-jong, chairman of Keangnam Enterprises Inc., provided Lee and several other high-profile politicians with slush funds.

Lee Yong-ki, one of Sung's closest assistants, is alleged to have destroyed related evidence.

Sung, once a lawmaker, hanged himself earlier this month in an apparent suicide as he faced arrest and indictment on embezzlement charges. He left a list of politicians he claimed to have bribed.

Earlier Saturday, a Seoul court approved a prosecutor's request to arrest Park Jun-ho, a former executive director of Sung's construction and energy company. He is also accused of destroying evidence related to the case.

The prime minister denied that he had received illicit money from Sung, claiming that he had no personal ties with the late businessman. However, he was found to have met the businessman and talked with him by phone numerous times. Lee, under pressure, later offered to resign.

President Park Geun-hye is expected to accept Lee's resignation after she returns from a South America trip on Monday.
(END)