South Korea's special prosecution rejects accusation that it forced president's friend to confess

Record ID: 165676

  • Title: South Korea's special prosecution rejects accusation that it forced president's friend to confess
  • Date: 25th January 2017
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (JANUARY 25, 2017) (REUTERS) SPOKESMAN FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, LEE KYU-CHUL, BOWING AND STANDING AT PODIUM JOURNALISTS SITTING LEE STANDING AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SPOKESMAN FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, LEE KYU-CHUL, SAYING: "Choi Soon-sil said she was forced to confess on her way to the special prosecutor's office today. I emphasize that it is completely groundless." JOURNALISTS SITTING AS ONE OF THEM SPEAKS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SPOKESMAN FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, LEE KYU-CHUL, SAYING: "Regardless of such groundless claims of hers, the special prosecutor will thoroughly carry out the investigation by law and principle." JOURNALISTS TYPING NEWS BRIEFING IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 8th February 2017 06:33
  • Keywords: south korea special prosecutor political scandal choi soon-sil park geun-hye
  • Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00160KW0UD
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: South Korea's special prosecutor on Wednesday (January 25) dismissed accusations by Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the centre of a corruption scandal, claiming that she had been forced to confess.
    Choi, who has been indicted for meddling in state affairs through her friendship with impeached President Park Geun-hye, made the protest at the special prosecutor's office, before she was pushed into an elevator by correctional officers.
    Choi was brought into the special prosecutor's office on Wednesday on an arrest warrant after she refused to answer several summons.
    "Choi Soon-sil said she was forced to confess on her way to the special prosecutor's office today. I emphasize that it is completely groundless," said spokesman for special prosecutor's office, Lee Kyu-chul, at a regular news briefing.
    "Regardless of such groundless claim of hers, the special prosecutor will thoroughly carry out the investigation by law and principle," Lee added.
    Park was impeached by parliament in December after accusations that she colluded with Choi to pressure big businesses, including Samsung, to donate to two foundations set up to back the president's policy initiatives.
    Park, Choi and Samsung have all denied wrongdoing.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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