By Oh Young-jin
Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister Han Myoung-sook said Thursday she would refuse to comply with a prosecution summons for questioning as a "suspect" for allegedly taking $50,000 in bribes.

Normally someone with such a high profile is called in as a witness. So designating Han as a suspect is considered highly unusual.

A group of former close aides to Roh, to which Han belongs, together with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), is organizing to fight what they see as a plot to oppress them. Han is also a member of the DP steering committee.

Sources at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said that legal notification was sent to Han's lawyers Wednesday night, summoning her to its office regarding allegations that she received the money from former Korea Express President Kwak Young-wook in exchange for arranging his appointment as CEO of a subsidiary of the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO).

In a news conference, Han claimed her innocence, saying that she had not received "even a red cent." The former prime minister, who now works for the foundation named after her late boss, plans to take legal action against a conservative vernacular newspaper for reporting the allegations that she took bribes.

In cases in which a suspect does not comply with the summons, prosecutors may issue an order to bring him or her in by force, however, they are not yet considering such a measure for Han.

Sources said prosecutors would not put her in custody when she appears for questioning, considering her political status.

foolsdie@koreatimes.co.kr