- Title: South Korea prosecutors raid Samsung Electronics in probe over scandal
- Date: 8th November 2016
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (NOVEMBER 8, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SOUTH KOREAN PROSECUTION INVESTIGATORS WALKING OUT OF ELEVATOR, CARRYING BLUE BOXES BLUE BOX BEING CARRIED / BOX READING (Korean and English): "PROSECUTION SERVICE" VARIOUS OF PROSECUTION INVESTIGATORS CARRYING BOXES, LEAVING SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS BUILDING PROSECUTION INVESTIGATORS CARRYING BOXES, GETTING ON BUS WHILE SURROUNDED BY MEDIA (NIGHT SHOTS) PROSECUTION INVESTIGATORS SITTING INSIDE BUS (NIGHT SHOTS) BUS CARRYING PROSECUTION INVESTIGATORS, LEAVING (NIGHT SHOTS) EXTERIOR OF SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS BUILDING (NIGHT SHOTS) FLAG OF SAMSUNG FLYING (NIGHT SHOTS) FLAGS OF SAMSUNG (LEFT AND RIGHT) AND NATIONAL FLAG OF SOUTH KOREA (CENTRE) FLYING
- Embargoed: 23rd November 2016 10:05
- Keywords: Samsung raid politics scandal South Korea Park Geun-hye
- Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00157L2LVP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: South Korean prosecutors raided the offices of Samsung Electronics on Tuesday (November 8) as part of a probe over a political scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her friend who is alleged to have exerted improper influence in state affairs.
A prosecution official told Reuters the search is related to the scandal involving the president's friend, Choi Soon-sil, but declined to comment further. The prosecution investigators seized boxes containing confidential documents and materials from the Samsung offices
Prosecutors are looking into whether Samsung improperly provided financial assistance to Choi's daughter, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported
Samsung Electronics, reeling from a $5.4 billion profit hit after it was forced to discontinue its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, said prosecutors visited its office but declined to comment further.
Park's presidency has been rocked by the scandal involving Choi, who is alleged to have used her closeness to the president to meddle in state affairs and wield influence in the sports and cultural communities.
Choi has been charged abuse of power and fraud while a former aide has been charged with abuse of power and extortion after they helped raise 77.4 billion won ($68 million) from dozens of the country's biggest conglomerates on behalf of two foundations.
Prosecutors have been investigating an allegation that Samsung provided 2.8 million euros ($3.1 million) to a company co-owned by Choi and her daughter, who was previously a member of the South Korean national equestrian team, Yonhap reported.
Prosecutors have already questioned a Samsung executive as part of the probe, according to a prosecution source. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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