Prosecutors on Thursday summoned a ruling party lawmaker for questioning over charges of using illegal political funds by siphoning from wages meant to be given to his aides.

Rep. Lee Koon-hyon of the ruling Saenuri Party appeared before the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office over allegations that he spent some 244 million won ($218,000) of illegal political funds between July 2011 and December 2015 while he was a member of the previous National Assembly.

The money, which was originally meant to be his aides' salaries, was used to run his office or to pay other staff who were not registered with parliament, according to prosecutors. It is unclear whether his aides voluntarily gave the money.  

"I am sorry for causing concerns," he told reporters before entering the prosecutors' office. "I will fully cooperate with the prosecution's investigation."

He declined to comment on the allegations raised against him.

The summons came about two months after the National Election Commission filed a petition with the prosecution against the 64-year-old lawmaker and his accountant, seeking an investigation into the case.

The ruling Saenuri Party's ethics committee held a meeting last week and started discussing possible disciplinary measures against Lee. (Yonhap)