S Korean diplomats under lens over info-for-sex row

SEOUL: South Korea is investigating several diplomats accused of trading government documents for sex with a Chinese woman while posted at the country's consulate in Shanghai, officials said.

The foreign ministry and the PM's office said they are probing at least four officials in the scandal, which was splashed across the front pages of South Korean newspapers on Wednesday.

Authorities are investigating whether the documents allegedly given by the officials, including the former consul general, were confidential, an official at the prime minister's office said.

The officials allegedly used their influence to help Chinese citizens introduced by the woman get South Korean visas in a speedier manner , the official said.

Foreign minister Kim Sung-hwan said the probe began after the government received a tip, but he did not elaborate. South Korean media reported that the Chinese woman's South Korean husband, a businessman, alerted authorities late last year. Kim said the government also planned to launch an investigation into the entire Shanghai consulate.

The mass-circulation Dong-a Ilbo newspaper said that the diplomats gave the woman a list of telephone numbers of top South Korean politicians including President Lee Myung-bak.