S.Korean prosecutors summon ex-presidential secretary

Seoul April 6 (IANS) South Korean prosecutors on Thursday summoned a former senior presidential secretary over a string of allegations surrounding a corruption scandal that ousted President Park Geun-hye from office.

Woo Byung-woo former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs was called in for multiple charges including abuse of power and dereliction of duty Xinhua news agency reported.

It was the third time that Woo appeared in the prosecutors office for questioning.

Last November he was interrogated for embezzlement and breach of duty in the management of a company his family controls.

In February he was questioned by special prosecutors who had investigated the corruption scandal that led to Park s impeachment and arrest.

Since March the investigation has been taken over by the special investigation headquarters of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office which summoned Woo.

Woo is suspected of assisting or at least conniving at Choi Soon-sil s meddling in state affairs behind the scenes.

Choi is Park s close friend who is at the centre of the corruption scandal and is now in custody.

He is also accused of intervening in the appointment of government officials inspecting civilians and affecting the probe into the Sewol ferry disaster that claimed 304 lives mostly high school students.

--IANS
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