[THE INVESTOR] South Korean prosecutors said they are considering rescheduling the investigation into Lotte Group in the wake of the death of Lotte Group Vice Chairman Lee In-won, who apparently took his own life on Aug. 26, just hours before his appearance for questioning regarding the ongoing corruption probe.

“We are very regretful. We offer condolences to the deceased and may (he) rest in peace,” a special investigative team for Lotte Group at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement. “We will also consider rescheduling the probe.”

Lee was due to appear before the prosecutors at 9:30 a.m. for questioning over the retail giant’s numerous charges, which include embezzlement and the creation of slush funds.

But the death of a key suspect, who was thought to have been well aware of Lotte Group’s irregularities, is expected to further impede the prosecutors’ probe.

Lee was widely known as the second-in-command at Korea’s fifth-largest conglomerate and a close aide of Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin. Lee, who joined Lotte in 1973 has closely worked with group founder Shin Kyuk-ho as well and headed major affiliates and the group’s policy coordination unit, which regarded as the retail giant’s control tower.

According to police, Lee was found dead in an apparent suicide at a walking trail in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, after a local resident notified police at around 7:10 a.m.

Officials believe Lee, who lived in central Seoul, drove to the area the night before or early in the morning intent to take his own life.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)