Prosecutors released former South Korean Prime Minister Han Myung-sook after questioning her over an alleged bribery scandal amid claims by the main opposition party that her arrest was politically motivated.
Her arrest and questioning Friday came days after the nation's former No. 2 official refused to appear before prosecutors over suspicions she took $50,000 from a businessman in return for favors in 2006 when she was prime minister.
Han denied the allegation and exercised her right to remain silent during questioning, said Woo Sang-ho, a former lawmaker and spokesman for the main opposition Democratic Party. Han was released late Friday. She was not immediately available for comment Saturday.
Prosecutors were considering indicting the former prime minister on a bribery charge this week, South Korea's mass-circulation Chosun Ilbo newspaper said. Other South Korean media carried similar reports.
Kim Yong-se, an official at the Supreme Prosecutors' office, said Saturday he could not comment with the investigation under way.
Lee Jong-kul, a lawmaker who serves as a defense lawyer for Han, dismissed the allegation against her as "groundless," saying Saturday the former prime minister will reveal the truth in court.
Woo said the arrest was politically motivated to tarnish the reputation of Han _ now an adviser to the opposition party. "Truth will prevail," Woo said Friday in a statement, noting the party is confident of Han's innocence.
Han served as the country's first female prime minister under liberal former President Roh Moo-hyun, who committed suicide earlier this year over a separate bribery scandal.
Roh jumped off a cliff to his death on May 23. At the time, he and his family were being investigated on suspicion of taking $6 million from another businessman while Roh was president. His supporters claimed that probe was politically motivated.
Politics in South Korea is highly partisan and stresses conflict over compromise. Fistfights and other mayhem are not uncommon in the National Assembly, the country's parliament.
The prime minister is largely a ceremonial job in South Korea, where power is concentrated in the president's office.
In the 1970s, Han was jailed for two years under the then-authoritarian government for alleged involvement in pro-communist activities, but her work was later recognized as part of democratization efforts.
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