President Moon Jae-in called for an investigation to determine if recent alleged speculative land buying by employees of a state-run housing development company is part of deep-rooted corruption.

According to presidential spokesperson Kang Min-seok on Thursday, Moon said if corruption is found, to eradicate it. He also called for fundamental ways to prevent such activities in the public sector.

Regarding calls for an investigation by the Board of Audit and Inspection(BAI), Moon said the decision will be at the BAI's discretion and that the government will conduct its own probe by an interagency team.

The president's latest remarks come just a day after he ordered an inspection of land trading by employees involved in the government's latest urban development project and their families.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who will be heading the probe team, is set to announce the details at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.