South Korea's Air Force chief is under probe over his alleged misuse of public funds, the Ministry of National Defense said Monday.

Suspicions have mounted surrounding Gen. Choi Cha-kyu, South Korea's Air Force Chief of Staff, including his alleged embezzlement of 3 million won ($2,778.5) of unit maintenance budget between 2008 and 2009 while serving as commander of the 10th Fighter Wing.

After Choi took office in 2014, his wife allegedly spent a large sum of public funds to renovate the official residence and to buy extravagant pieces of furniture, according to some media reports and civic groups.

He and his family members were also suspected of using official vehicles for personal use, while giving fussy orders to the drivers.

Flatly denying the allegations, "Choi himself asked Defense Minister Han Min-koo for an audit last week, and Han accepted," a ministry official said.

"We will make details public after completing the audit to reveal the truth," he added. (Yonhap)