Prosecutors on Thursday raided the Justice Ministry as part of their investigation into its alleged violation in issuing a travel ban against former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui in 2019.

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office began the search and seizure at the ministry Thursday morning, including the Korean Immigration Service.

Kim, who briefly held the vice minister post in 2013, was stopped from leaving the country in March 2019 amid a fresh investigation into alleged sexual favors he received. The ministry had issued an "urgent" overseas travel ban.

The former vice minister was convicted of bribery and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, a fine of five million won and a forfeit of 43 million won. He was acquitted of the sexual favor charge.