A close aide to the ruling party chair was found dead on Thursday after being questioned about alleged acceptance of funds from the scandal-ridden Optimus Asset Management. 

Police said on Thursday that the aide, identified only by the surname Lee, was found dead near the Seoul Central District Court at around 9:15 p.m.

Police said that Lee appeared to have committed suicide, adding a note has not been found around the body. 

The deputy chief at the office of Democratic Party Chairperson Lee Nak-yon was questioned at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office until 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Lee was then supposed to appear for questioning after dinner that day, but went missing. 

Seoul City's election commission filed a complaint against the deceased last month on charges of violating political funding laws in relation to allegations that a company tied to Optimus provided rental fees for multi-function printers at the local office of the DP chair.