South Korea prosecutors indict friend, former aides of President Park in corruption probe

Record ID: 78174

  • Title: South Korea prosecutors indict friend, former aides of President Park in corruption probe
  • Date: 20th November 2016
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - NOVEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT PROSECUTORS' OFFICE 1O. LOGO ON DOOR READING (Korean and English): "PROSECUTION SERVICE"
  • Embargoed: 5th December 2016 04:29
  • Keywords: South Korea President prosecutor Park Geun-hye aid corruption scandal
  • Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA002598ZUBP
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:South Korean prosecutors said on Sunday (November 20) they had formally indicted a friend of President Park Geun-hye and two former aides in a corruption scandal engulfing her administration.
    Choi Soon-sil, Park's friend, and former presidential aide An Chong-bum are charged with abuse of power in pressuring conglomerates to contribute funds to foundations at the centre of the scandal, said Lee Young-ryeol, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
    Prosecutors also indicted a second former presidential aide, Jeong Ho-seong, with leaking classified information to Choi.
    An and Jeong both stepped down late last month as the crisis deepened.
    The indictments had been expected. Choi is accused of working with An to exert improper pressure on dozens of the country's biggest conglomerates to help raise 77.4 billion won ($65.59 million) on behalf of two non-profit foundations, according to the prosecutors.
    Lee added that his team believed Park had an accomplice role in the case but said she cannot be indicted because she has constitutional immunity.
    "Following these judgements, the special investigations team will continue to investigate the president," Lee told reporters.
    South Korea's presidential Blue House did not have an immediate comment.
    Park's presidency has been rocked by allegations that Choi used her ties to the president to meddle in state affairs and wield improper influence, but she has resisted calls to resign.
    Park has pledged to cooperate in the investigation but pushed back on the prosecutors' plan to question her last week.
    South Korea's parliament has approved a bill to appoint a special prosecutor, who will conduct a separate and a more wide-reaching probe.
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