The prosecution and police are in a tug-of-war over plans to investigate former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui, who is implicated in a burgeoning sex-for-favors scandal.

Police requested earlier this week the Justice Ministry to ban some 10 people including the former top prosecutor Kim from leaving the country pending an investigation into their involvement in the sex scandal.

On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, however, turned down the request for a travel ban, saying the police did not give “legitimate reasons.” The prosecutors also reportedly rejected the requests made against other people linked to the scandal.

Observers say the decision showed the prosecution’s discontent over the police’s investigation. Insiders from the prosecution told the media that they thought the police were “overusing” their rights to play a greater role in charging and prosecuting.

Without commenting directly on the prosecutor’s decision, police claimed that they had “sufficient reason” for seeking bans on Kim and other suspects leaving the country.

“(We have) requested travel bans because (we) need to do so for further investigations as we have identified substantial criminal charges,” the police said.

While the tension over investigation rights between the two agencies is escalating, the unprecedented investigation into a massive sex-for-favors scandal is losing its pace without any clear findings.

The police said Friday that they were looking to request the travel ban on the suspects again after gathering further evidence.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)