Police were set to request a warrant Monday to detain the former chairman of South Korean conglomerate DB Group after he repeatedly refused to appear for questioning over allegations that he sexually assaulted his secretary.

Kim Jun-ki, 73, is suspected of making physical contact with his personal assistant against her will between February and July this year. The secretary has filed a complaint with police seeking a formal investigation against him. 

(Yonhap)
Kim resigned from the top post of the 36th largest conglomerate, formally known as Dongbu Group, two days after the news about the complaint was made known.

Police summoned him three times over the last two months but Kim has refused to show up citing health reasons. He has apparently been staying in the US for treatment and has submitted a doctor's written letter backing his claim that he cannot return to the country until early next year.

If the detention warrant is issued, police can immediately seize him at the airport.

DB Group is a major family-controlled conglomerate in Korea with businesses ranging from steel manufacturing to finance. (Yonhap)