- Title: Timeline charts key events in South Korea's influence-peddling scandal
- Date: 22nd June 2017
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - DECEMBER 24, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** BUS CARRYING CHOI ARRIVING AT SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE CHOI GETTING OFF PRISON BUS VARIOUS OF CHOI SURROUNDED BY MEDIA, BEING ESCORTED BY POLICE OFFICERS, WALKING AND GETTING ON LIFT AT SPECIAL PROSECUTORS' OFFICE BUILDING / LETTERS ON SIGNBOARD READING (Korean): "INDEPENDENT COUNSEL'S OFFICE FOR THE INFLUENCE-PEDDLING SCANDAL CENTRED AROUND PRESIDENT PARK GEUN-HYE AND CIVILIANS INCLUDING CHOI SOON-SIL" The team summoned Choi for questioning on December 24 on charges including bribery and embezzlement. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - NOVEMBER 23, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF NATIONAL PENSION SERVICE BUILDING SIGN ON BUILDING READING (English and Korean): "NPS, NATIONAL PENSION SERVICE"
- Embargoed: 6th July 2017 12:48
- Keywords: president timeline Choi Soon-sil Park impeachment political scandal Park Geun-hye trial South Korea Samsung Jay Y. Lee
- Location: SEOUL, INCHEON, UIWANG, SOUTH KOREA/ AALBORG, DENMARK/ HAGEN, GERMANY
- City: SEOUL, INCHEON, UIWANG, SOUTH KOREA/ AALBORG, DENMARK/ HAGEN, GERMANY
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
- Reuters ID: LVA0096ME3WAT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Choi Soon-sil, a long-time confidante of South Korea's ousted former President, is due to face her first sentencing on Friday (June 23) in relation to charges that she abused her power for her daughter.
The sentencing is the latest development in a corruption scandal that took the country by storm last October. Choi is accused of colluding with ex-president Park Geun-hye to collect bribes from the country's top businesses, and faces a number of other charges which she has yet to be sentenced for. Prosecutors have demanded a seven-year jail term for this single case.
Her daughter, 20-year-old Chung Yoo-ra, fled to Europe last year to avoid being prosecuted by South Korean authorities for her links to her mother's alleged crimes. She also faces charges including criminal interference related to her academic record and acceptance into a South Korean university with questionable qualifications.
This video timeline charts the events of the corruption scandal since October, when a South Korean television network reported that drafts of Park's speeches had been found in a computer used by Choi. The drafts were received hours and days before the remarks were publicly delivered.
South Korean prosecutors on April 17 accused Park of colluding with Choi to receive 7 billion won ($6.16 million) from Lotte for favours. Park was also charged with abuse of power and coercion by pressuring big businesses to contribute funds to non-profit foundations, prosecutors said. Both Park and Choi have denied wrongdoing.
The pair appeared in court, reuniting for the first time since October, on May 23 for Park's first trial hearing. Park's verdict is due in October. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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