The police requested an arrest warrant Tuesday against former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui for his alleged involvement in a sex-for-favors scandal. Sources said he faces charges of rape.

“(The police) requested an arrest warrant for Kim on Tuesday afternoon. We can’t say what charges are being sought for him because the investigation is still ongoing,” an investigator at the Korean National Police Agency said.

Investigators suspect Kim of raping a number of women at a luxury weekend house in Wonju, Gangwon Province owned by a local contractor surnamed Yoon, according to sources.

Kim is one of a number of high-profile figures said to have been present at a series of banquets hosted by Yoon between 2008 and 2011.

The former vice minister is also suspected of exerting his influence to cover up a number of accusations made against Yoon.

The police have summoned Kim three times for questioning. But Kim has yet to appear, citing health problems.

Kim resigned from the No. 2 post in the ministry a week after he was appointed by President Park Geun-hye. His name was disclosed by news media as one of the figures implicated in the sex scandal.

Kim denied having received sexual services in exchange for business favors. However, the police have obtained testimonies from women hired by Yoon to perform sexual services for Kim, according to sources.

By Cho Chung-un
(christory@heraldcorp.com)