South Korea seeks arrest of chairman of Hyundai

SEOUL -- State prosecutors today requested an arrest warrant for Hyundai Motor Co. chairman Chung Mong-koo amid a bribery and slush fund scandal that has rocked South Korea's largest automaker.

Prosecution spokesman Kang Chan-woo said that the arrest warrant was requested for Chung, while his son, Kia Motor's Corp. president Chung Eui-sun, would continue to be investigated without being detained.

The request is subject to approval by the chief prosecutor. It was not immediately clear when a decision would be made on approving the request.

Prosecutors have been investigating the Hyundai Automotive Group since last month over suspicion it embezzled money from affiliates to create a slush fund and used the money, through at least two lobbyists, to seek favors from the government.

The move comes days after Chung spent about 15 hours Monday at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul for questioning over the scandal. Chung's son spent about 18 hours there for questioning last week.