Prosecutors on Thursday searched the home of a close aide of Democratic United Party chairwoman Han Myeong-sook over allegations of bribery.

The prosecutors are investigating allegations that a man identified by his surname Shim took 200 million won ($177,000) from a man named Park. Park was a preliminary candidate for the DUP for the April 11 general elections.

The prosecutors also asked Shim to show up at their office to be questioned but he did not promise to do so.

Park, who made the allegations in the weekly current affairs magazine Weekly Dong-A, was questioned by investigators on Tuesday.

According to the Weekly Dong-A report, Shim requested money from Park in return for support in the latter’s run for candidacy.

“I was in contact with close aides of chairwoman Han since September, an aide S (Shim’s initial) said that if the result is good, Han will run for chairmanship and if she is becomes chairwoman help will be available,” Park was quoted as saying by the magazine. The result Shim was referring to is of Han’s trial where she was accused of taking money from a businessman. She was acquitted.

Park claims that he handed over 200 million won to Shim in five installments between October and February.

Park also alleged that he was put in touch with Han’s aides through a former lawmaker of the defunct Uri Party, and that he met Han with Shim on two occasions before he gave Shim money.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)