President Park Geun-hye's former senior secretary for civil affairs appeared before the prosecution for questioning over a string of corruption allegations on Sunday, becoming the second ex-presidential aide to face a probe.

The state prosecution's special investigation team summoned Woo Byung-woo, who has been accused of the alleged abuse of authority and embezzlement.

The summons came a week after he resigned as part of Park's personnel reshuffle aimed at assuaging growing public anger over an escalating influence-peddling scandal involving her close confidante Choi Soon-sil.

The probe into Woo opened after former special presidential inspector Lee Seok-soo referred Woo's case to the prosecution in August.

Woo is alleged to have embezzled funds from a real-estate company run by his family. He is also purported to have peddled influence to help his son secure an easy job during his mandatory military service. (Yonhap)


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