Prosecutors have sought an arrest warrant for political science professor Hahm Sung-deuk on charges of influence peddling.

The Korea University professor, who is well known for his studies on the presidency, is suspected of taking nearly 78.6 million won ($70,389) from an advertisement agency chief executive, identified by his surname Yoon, in 2008 and 2009.

He asked Hahm to lobby a senior Fair Trade Commission official to help him maintain an ad contract with a major Internet shopping mall without lowering his commission, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office said.

The prosecutors also requested an arrest warrant for an executive of a broadcasting company’s affiliate, who allegedly took 90 million won from Yoon in 2008. Yoon allegedly asked the man to deliver the money to a former Cheong Wa Dae secretariat for the same purpose.

The prosecutors office is also investigating the FTC and former presidential officials.

By Lee Sang-ju (sjlee370@heraldcorp.com)