Prosecutors have asked minor party leader Cho Kuk to appear for questioning in connection with alleged favoritism for former President Moon Jae-in’s ex-son-in-law, officials said Wednesday.

The Jeonju District Prosecutors Office in South Korea’s southwestern city of Jeonju said it has sent a summons for Cho to appear for questioning as a witness on Aug. 31 as part of its probe into the suspicion that Moon’s ex-son-in-law, surnamed Seo, was unfairly hired as an executive of Thai Eastar Jet in exchange for favors for the firm’s founder, Lee Sang-jik.

After Lee was named head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) in 2018, Seo was hired as an executive director of the Thai affiliate of budget carrier Eastar Jet, triggering skepticism about its background.

Prosecutors suspect that the decision to appoint Lee as the KOSME chief was made during an informal meeting of presidential secretaries in late 2017.

Cho served as a senior presidential secretary for civil affairs under Moon from 2017-19 and then wo
rked as justice minister during his presidency.

On Tuesday, the prosecution summoned Im Jong-seok, a former chief of staff for Moon, regarding the allegation and reportedly asked him whether he played any role in the appointment.

Cho formed the Rebuilding Korea Party in March and has since led the minor party.

Source: Yonhap News Agency