South Korea's top prosecutor said Tuesday that the current investigations into illegal election campaign fundraising will be carried out in accordance with legal principles, but added that any legal steps to be taken against businessmen accused of making illegal contributions will be determined after taking numerous points into consideration.

Prosecutor-General Song Kwang-soo said that prosecutors are fully aware of the impact the recent probes will have on business. He said that the level of legal action against businessmen will depend on how well they comply with ongoing investigations.

His remarks came after President Roh Moo-hyun called for leniency toward corporate executives accused of delivering illicit funds to politicians during the 2002 presidential election.

During an interview with a local newspaper on Saturday, Roh said he hoped the investigation would not lead to the direct punishment of the businessmen.

At the heart of the investigation is Samsung Group, the nation's biggest conglomerate. The group is alleged to have given more than 30 billion won in illicit funds to the opposition Grand National Party ahead of the presidential election campaign.

Other conglomerates are also suspected of having provided billions of won in illegal funds to the opposition party.