State prosecutors on Friday questioned current and former officials of two foundations at the center of a scandal involving controversial figures with ties to President Park Geun-hye.

The summons came just a day after Park ordered a thorough “inspection and oversight” of the Mir and K-Sports foundations, which were established in October 2015 and January this year, respectively, to promote Korean culture and sports through various events and programs.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors‘ Office set up a team of five prosecutors to investigate all the allegations raised mainly by opposition parties and progressive civic groups critical of the incumbent government.

Investigators summoned Chung Tong-gu, who led the K-Sports Foundation for about a month until late February. It also called in two current working-level officials from the Mir Foundation.

At the heart of the scandal surrounding these foundations is Choi Soon-sil, known to be an acquaintance of the president. Choi is the daughter of Park’s mentor Choi Tae-min and the ex-wife of the Park’s former secretary Chung Yun-hoi.

Choi is suspected of having inappropriately peddled influence in the creation and operation of the two foundations. Opposition lawmakers have also raised allegations that she might have misappropriated funds from the foundations that have since been disbanded. Choi does not hold any titles in Mir or K-Sports, although she is indirectly connected to the owner of The Blue K, a company created to support athletes and fuel sports-related exchanges.

An Chong-bum, currently the senior presidential secretary for policy coordination, is also purported to have exerted influence to pressure major companies to dole out money in the creation of the two foundations.

On the same day, the prosecution also questioned a government official who was in charge of approving the establishment of the Mir Foundation last year.

A day earlier, the prosecution questioned two director-general-level officials at the culture, sports and tourism ministry. They are thought to have been summoned over allegations that the foundations gained government approval for their establishment unusually quickly -- just a day after their applications were submitted. (Yonhap)