- Title: South Korean investigators raid Lotte and SK offices in political scandal
- Date: 24th November 2016
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - JUNE 10, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF LOTTE BUILDING LETTER READING (English): "LOTTE" ENTRANCE AT LOTTE BUILDING MORE OF LETTER READING (English): "LOTTE" PEOPLE STANDING PEOPLE WALKING INTO ENTRANCE SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - FEBRUARY 1, 2016) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING AT LOTTE DUTY FREE SHOP EMPLOYEE SHOWING COSMETIC PRODUCTS TO PEOPLE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT CASHIER INTERIOR OF LOTTE DUTY FREE SHOP SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - AUGUST 13, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SK BUILDING LETTER READING (English): "SK" SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - JULY 1, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MINISTRY OF STRATEGY AND FINANCE BUILDING LETTER READING: "MINISTRY OF STRATEGY AND FINANCE"
- Embargoed: 9th December 2016 02:55
- Keywords: Lotte SK Group finance ministry raid investigators Park Geun-hye
- Location: SEOUL AND SEJONG, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL AND SEJONG, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00159SYYPX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: South Korean investigators on Thursday (November 24) raided the offices of Lotte Group, SK Group and government agencies as part of a widening probe into alleged influence-peddling that has engulfed President Park Geun-hye, Yonhap news agency reported.
The raids came a day after prosecution investigators carried out related searches at offices of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-run conglomerate and the parent of global smartphone leader Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.
The businesses are suspected of providing money to organisations controlled or owned by Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of Park, to win government favours in relation to duty free licences, Yonhap reported.
A Lotte Group spokesman confirmed the company's offices had been raided but gave no further details. An SK Group spokesman had no information on the matter and a prosecution spokesman was not available for comment.
Prosecutors on Sunday indicted Choi and a former aide of Park on charges of colluding to pressure companies to contribute funds to foundations at the centre of the scandal.
The finance ministry and customs service, which oversee duty free licences, were also raided, Yonhap reported. A finance ministry official confirmed the raid but a customs official had no information. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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