The prosecution turned down an arrest warrant request police sought for the chief of a major drugmaker accused of verbal harassment of his chauffeurs, saying further investigation is necessary, according to police.
Police sought the warrant last week to arrest Rhee Jang-han, chairman of Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp., over allegations that he hurled swear words at four of his private car drivers and offered his business partners erectile dysfunction pills as gifts without obtaining prescriptions.
But the prosecution turned down the request, instructing police to look more into the case without physical detention of Rhee and request a warrant for him again depending on the results of the additional investigation, a police official said.
The allegations came to light as recorded conversations between him and one of the drivers were released online and by the media. Rhee, 65, was summoned by the police earlier this month for questioning. He has denied wrongdoing and apologized to the public and the victims. (Yonhap)