OPPOSITION LEADER FACES CHARGES IN SOUTH KOREA

South Korean state prosecutors strongly hinted Wednesday that opposition leader Kim Dae-jung would be indicted for his alleged role in a spy scandal involving a party colleague. ``The prosecution intends to take legal action against Kim because there is sufficent evidence backing up his offense,'' prosecutor Lee Sang-hyong told reporters.

Mr. Kim withstood about 15 hours of intensive interrogation at the prosecutor's office overnight in connection with charges that Suh Kyong-won, a member of parliament from the Party for Peace and Democracy, illegally visited communist North Korea and engaged in espionage activities. Mr. Lee said Kim denied any wrongdoing.

The prosecution says Kim was called for questioning after Mr. Suh confessed to giving him $10,000 out of funds received from the North.