Former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui has been asked to appear for questioning by police sometime next week on suspicions that he received sexual favors from a local contractor in return for business favors, according to an officer Saturday.

The sex bribery scandal centers around allegations that a number of high-profile figures, such as former and incumbent high-ranking government officials including Kim and the head of a hospital, received sexual services from about a dozen women hired by the 52-year-old construction contractor, surnamed Yoon.

"We are still fine-tuning the exact date as former vice minster Kim has not yet responded to our summons," the officer said on the condition of anonymity.

Kim, who has been banned from leaving the country amid the ongoing police probe, offered to resign in March, following media reports that police had obtained evidence that Kim was one of several influential figures involved in the scandal.

Kim denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the reports as "untrue," but said he was resigning because he could no longer do his job properly with his name disgraced.

His resignation came only six days after he was appointed to he post. (Yonhap News)