Ex-Park aide attempts suicide amid probe

Hyun Ki-hwan, a former top political advisor to President Park Geun-hye, was hospitalized late Wednesday following an apparent suicide attempt, medical workers said, adding that he is not in critical condition.

The 57-year-old Hyun sought to slit his wrist at a hotel in his hometown of Busan at around 6:30 p.m. His injuries are not “life-threatening” and he is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, according to local rescue workers.

The incident came as the prosecution continues to carry out an investigation into the former lawmaker over his alleged involvement in a corruption case surrounding a skyscraper construction project in the port city. 

Hyun Ki-hwan, a former senior presidential secretary for political affairs, arrives at the Busan District Prosecutors` Office on Tuesday. (Yonhap)

Hyun underwent a 13-hour questioning sesion at the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office on Tuesday over allegations that while in office he offered business favors to Lee Young-bok, a construction magnet who leads the ambitious initiative to build a 101-story apartment complex in downtown Busan, called LCT.

Investigators requested an arrest warrant later in the day.  

Lee was indicted Monday on charges of embezzling 57 billion won ($48.4 million) of company funds and fraud.

Hyun served as Park’s senior presidential secretary for political affairs for about one year until last June.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)