The prosecution on Wednesday rejected a police request for an arrest warrant for a former vice justice minister accused of receiving sexual services in return for business favors.

The prosecution instead instructed the National Police Agency (NPA) to refile an arrest warrant with a stronger argument on the charges against Kim Hak-ui who remains in a hospital following surgery.

Kim's medical conditions should be considered when a warrant will be sought again, prosecution officials said.

The NPA has been investigating allegations that a number of high-profile figures, including Kim and the head of a local general hospital, received sexual services from a dozen women hired by a 52-year-old construction contractor surnamed Yoon.

Kim allegedly used his power to influence several court cases in Yoon's favor in return for the services.

The police has asked Kim three times to appear for questioning, but he has repeatedly ignored the summons, citing health reasons.

"We sought the arrest warrant against the former vice justice minister yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon," an NPA officer close to the investigation said, declining to disclose further details.

Only six days after being appointed to the No. 2 position at the Justice Ministry in March, Kim offered to resign following media reports that the police had obtained video evidence that he was one of several influential figures involved in the scandal.

Kim denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the reports as "untrue," but said he was resigning because he could no longer do his job properly with his name disgraced. (Yonhap News)