Hong Sa-duk, a close aide to ruling party presidential candidate Park Geun-hye, confessed that he received illegal political funds from a businessman, during a recent questioning, prosecution sources said Saturday.

Hong, a former co-chairman of Park’s primary campaign team and former six-term lawmaker, was summoned by prosecutors on Friday on suspicion of receiving kickbacks from the businessman, surnamed Jin, who is based in the southeastern region.

During questioning on Friday, Hong said he received a total of 30 million won ($27,014) from Jin over three different occasions between last autumn and March of this year, a senior official at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office said, asking anonymity as he is not allowed to talk to media.

The state election watchdog had earlier accused him of receiving 50 million won in bribes.

Prosecutors will further review confessions and evidence to decide additional summons and legal actions against Hong, according to officials.

Soon after prosecutors launched an investigation into the allegations last month, Hong left the party in a bid to minimize fallout ahead of December’s presidential vote.

If legal actions are taken against the former vice parliamentary speaker, it could deal another blow to Park and the ruling Saenuri Party, which has been embroiled in a series of graft scandals involving its members in recent months. (Yonhap News)