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Former aide in S Korea appears for questioning

South Korean prosecutors yesterday summoned President Roh Moo-hyun's former top aide for questioning over allegations of influence-peddling.

Byeon Yang-kyoon, Roh's former chief national policy secretary, voluntarily appeared for the questioning, which was televised, but was tight-lipped over the scandal.

Byeon is suspected of having had close personal relations with a former curator, Shin Jeong-ah and helping her secure a job at a Seoul university and also co-directorship at the country's largest contemporary art exhibition.

Shin quit both posts after it was found she had invented her academic degrees, including a Yale University doctorate.

Byeon, 58 and married, at first strongly denied having been involved with the 35-year-old but the prosecution later discovered love letters he had e-mailed to her.

The scandal turned sensational last week when a local newspaper printed nude photos said to be of Shin, amid speculation of sex-for-favor trades. Shin has strongly denied all such allegations.

Roh sacked Byeon last week -- the second key aide to have been fired in less than a month.
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