By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

The prosecution will summon Rep. Lee Kwang-jae of the ruling Uri Party today for questioning over his alleged involvement in the failed oil field development project by Korea Railroad (Korail), which cost the national treasury $3.5 million.

A prosecutor said yesterday that they have not found evidence of Lee’s involvement, but will question Lee over his relationship with key figures of the oil scandal.

Korail launched the project on Sakhalin Island, Russia, last August after setting up Korea Crude Oil with a real estate developer Jeon Dae-wul and money borrowed from Woori Bank.

But it gave up the project in November as its Russian counterpart, Alpha-Eko, failed to obtain the Russian government’s approval, forfeiting its $3.5 million down payment.

Jeon, who was arrested, has claimed Lee was involved in the project, while Lee denies it. But Lee has said he introduced Huh Mun-suk, an oil development expert, to Jeon.

Huh, who allegedly proposed the project to Korail with Jeon, is staying in Indonesia.

The prosecution plans to question Lee over whether he was involved in the project after introducing Huh to Jeon last June.

``We don’t see a chance to take legal actions against him now. But we may summon him several more times for questioning if needed,’’ the prosecutor said.

Following the fact that Lee’s secretary, identified as Sim, had met Huh on several occasions between July and September for Lee’ policy documents, investigators will also question whether Huh sought Lee’s influence on the project through Sim.

They will also investigate the allegation that Lee had met a Korail director Wang Young-yong in October and former Korail head Shin Gwang-soon in November.

Both Wang and Shin were arrested on charges of causing the losses to the state-run rail operator.

The prosecution is also considering questioning Lee Ki-myung, a supporter of Rep. Lee, this week over the allegation he was involved in the project.

Jeon claimed he and Huh had their first meeting at Lee Ki-myung’s office.

Huh, who allegedly met Lee before fleeing to Indonesia, is refusing to come back to Korea. The prosecution requested Interpol he be put on its wanted list.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr