The Justice Ministry is expected to go ahead with a controversial investigation into chief prosecutor Chae Dong-wook next month, according to officials at the ministry and the prosecution.

The planned investigation has been at the center of political debate since last week with the opposition party slamming both Cheong Wa Dae and the ministry on their alleged roles of pressuring Chae to resign.

The embattled prosecutor chief offered to resign from his post last Friday shortly after Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn ordered an internal inspection into allegations that he had a son born through an extramarital affair.

The ministry is currently conducting a preliminary probe into the allegations to check facts and secure evidence.

The ministry said it could only start a full investigation early next month at the earliest as it must first get approval from an advisory committee of nine external figures.

The committee, currently chaired by a former judge, will review the minister’s request to investigate Chae and check whether the demand is legally adequate. The process will require more than two weeks, the ministry added.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)