Convicted lawmaker asked to appear for questioning Mon.

Prosecutors asked former Democratic Party Rep. Chung Bong-joo to appear at the Seoul Central Prosecutors` Office by 1 p.m. Monday. He was sentenced to one year in prison Thursday for spreading false rumors ahead of the 2007 presidential election.

Prosecutors, however, have come under fire for giving Chung preferential treatment since their request was made after he asked to appear before prosecutors by that time.

The prosecutors` office said Friday, "We made such a request under the precondition that action is taken to confirm Chung`s whereabouts."

The Supreme Court made a final ruling on Chung Thursday but he snubbed the request to appear at the prosecutors` office by 5 p.m. the same day. He also ignored another request to report for questioning by 10 a.m. Friday.

In the process, Joo Jin-woo, a reporter for the weekly magazine Sisa-in who appeared with Chung in the podcast "I`m a Cheater," posted a message on his Twitter account saying, "Chung will voluntarily report to the Seoul Central Prosecutors` Office by 1 p.m. Monday."

Chung`s attorney also called the prosecutors` office at 11 p.m. Thursday to ask prosecutors to summon Chung at 1 p.m. Monday.

The former lawmaker is known to have turned off his cellphone and prepared for grilling by prosecutors. He told acquaintances, "My mother is in poor condition and I need time to set my affairs straight calmly."

Given that many urged strict prosecution of Chung since he received a day after the court ruling, prosecutors initially considered placing him under custody to directly put him behind bars.

Experts said giving him a grace period violates fairness since prosecutors have instantly carried out the sentences of those found guilty.

Nevertheless, prosecutors have decided to give Chung a grace period to prevent him from being described as an "oppressed politician," meaning they need not take action since Chung apparently wants to be seen as being unduly suppressed.

The precedent of the two-day grace period for former Democratic Party Rep. Kim Jong-ryul was also considered. Kim received a one-year prison sentence in September 2009.

Prosecutors, however, are reportedly planning to take Chung into custody if he and his supporters carry out group and open actions.

ceric@donga.com