An executive of the country's largest big business lobby group was summoned Tuesday as prosecutors accelerated their investigation into two non-profit foundations, allegedly linked to a controversial figure with ties to President Park Geun-hye.

Lee Yong-woo at the Federation of Korean Industries was called in by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to face questions over the Mir Foundation and K-Sports Foundation. 

Established in 2015 and early this year, the two foundations are suspected of raising a combined 80 billion won ($70 million) from conglomerates with the help of the FKI.

There have been allegations that the money was funneled to Choi Soon-sil, who is viewed by some to be the behind-the-scenes power broker of the current administration. Choi is the daughter of Park's late mentor.

Prosecutors also summoned an employee at the FKI and another employee at the K-Sports to question them over the details of the fund raising.

Established in 1961, the FKI counts some 600 companies as members including such high profile names as Samsung and Hyundai Motor. It has played a key role in helping the country post stellar economic growth in the past decades.

Recently, however, it has been dogged by a series of scandals that has fueled calls by critics for its disbandment. (Yonhap)