By Kim Bo-eun

Kim Hee-jung, an ex-aide to President Lee Myung-bak will be summoned Friday for questioning over allegations of bribery involving a corruption-ridden savings bank, the prosecution said Wednesday.

Kim, a presidential secretary handling Lee’s personal affairs, allegedly received some 100 million won from Lim Suk, chairman of Solomon Savings Bank from 2009 to 2010. Investigators suspect that Lim handed over the money so Kim would help the troubled savings bank escape an audit and shutdown.

The 44-year-old has denied the allegations. But he tendered his resignation to take “moral responsibility” last Friday. President Lee accepted Kim’s resignation Monday. Kim had been a close aide to Lee since 1997 when the latter was a lawmaker.

Prosecutors also summoned Kwon Oh-eul, the former campaign manager of then-presidential candidate Lee to question him over bribery allegations surrounding Lee Sang-deuk, President Lee’s elder brother and a six-term lawmaker.

It is alleged that Kwon received 300 million won in “illegal campaign funds” from Lim ahead of the 2007 presidential election through Lee Sang-deuk and Chung Doo-un, who is now a lawmaker of the ruling Saenuri Party. Kwon denied the allegations.

Lee Sang-deuk, 76, was arrested on charges of taking bribes to illegally assist troubled savings banks from Lim. The prosecution sought to arrest Chung, but the National Assembly rejected a motion to permit this last Wednesday.

The prosecution has summoned Rep. Park Jie-won, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic United Party, for questioning over bribery allegations today.

Investigators said they found evidence that Park, a three-term lawmaker, allegedly took 100 million won ($87,560) from the chairmen of Solomon Savings Bank and Bohae Savings Bank.