A local construction contractor has admitted to playing a role in hiring women to provide sexual favors to a number of high-profile figures in return for business benefits, an officer close to the investigation said Friday.

The 52-year-old construction contractor, surnamed Yoon, returned home earlier in the day after being quizzed for more than

14 hours over allegations that the social elites, including former and incumbent high-ranking government officials and the head of a hospital, received sexual services from about a dozen women hired by him.

"Yoon admitted to some of the allegations," the officer said, refusing to disclose further details as the investigation is ongoing.

The officer who requested anonymity also said that Yoon is expected to be summoned one more time sometime next week for further questioning.

After launching the probe two months ago, police have recently stepped up the investigation, banning former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui, suspected to be one of the high-profile figures, from leaving the country last week.

The widening scandal has rocked Korean society following the revelation of video footage that allegedly shows an intimate rendezvous between the figures and the women at a luxury vacation home in Wonju, 132 kilometers east of Seoul, which is allegedly owned by Yoon.

Yoon is under suspicion of committing illegal acts while trying to win construction contracts, the officer said. The figures, who allegedly received sexual services, are accused of peddling their influence for Yoon. (Yonhap News)