By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Prosecutors will summon Moon Kook-hyun, leader of the minor Renewal of Korea Party (RKP), on June 10 for questioning about alleged irregularity in the selection of a proportional representation lawmaker.
This is was the sixth summons request since April 24 ― Moon has so far refused to appear.
Moon is suspected of involvement in the selection of the discredited Lee Han-jung, 57, as a lawmaker for the RKP.
Lee was arrested on April 21 on charges of fabricating his educational background and career history and of giving 600 million won ($600,000) to the party allegedly in return for the National Assembly seat.
``Through direct questioning, we will uncover whether Moon exercised his influence over the selection of Lee as the second proportional representative and what his role was in Lee giving the 600 million won,'' a prosecutor said.
He added that Moon is expected to appear at the prosecutor's office this time as the investigation will be limited to his involvement in the selection of Lee without any questioning on other allegations.
Moon has strongly denied exercising his influence, saying a party committee made the selections
Previously he admitted that his party was responsible for the selection fiasco as it failed to screen Lee's qualifications properly before registering him.
Moon, the former chief executive of tissue maker Yuhan Kimberly, now leads his party of three lawmakers.
However, to take responsibility for the incident, he said he would step down from the party leadership during a news conference on April 25.