The Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea wants independent counsel Cho Joon-woong's team to end its probe into the Samsung Group's slush fund allegations at an early date.

In a petition, the organization said that corporate sponsorship of arts has decreased since last year as a possible result of a series of scandals involving leading cultural figures.

The group said that the impact of the Samsung investigation on the arts and cultural sector should be minimized.

On Wednesday, Hong Ra-hee, the wife of Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, was summoned for questioning. She is suspected of using the conglomerate's slush funds to buy expensive art works.