She also claimed that he exerted influence to have her transferred to a position outside of Seoul because she tried to formally raise the issue with the prosecution's internal affairs bureau.

Prosecutors sought to arrest him but the request for a warrant was denied by the court last week, on the basis that the charges are disputable.

Prosecutors filed for a writ on the charge of abuse of authority, since the statute of limitations has expired for the sexual misconduct allegations.

The allegations triggered the so-called "Me Too" movement in South Korea, sparking a raft of revelations from alleged female victims in the culture, arts, education and religious sectors.

The prosecution launched a special probe to look into sexual misconduct allegations within legal circles, primarily Ahn's case, following Seo's revelation. An internal prosecution committee tasked with reviewing Ahn's case has recommended Ahn be indicted.

Ahn, whose last job was chief of criminal affairs at the Ministry of Justice, was fired in June last year for offering cash to junior prosecutors over a private dinner. Regarding the sexual misconduct allegations, he has said he does not remember the incident and strongly denied he pulled strings to have Seo moved to her current post. (Yonhap)