- Title: Timeline charts key events in South Korea's influence-peddling scandal
- Date: 22nd June 2017
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - NOVEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FORMER SENIOR PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARY FOR POLICY COORDINATION, AHN JONG-BEOM, WALKING TOWARD SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AHN SURROUNDED BY MEDIA AHN SPEAKING The Seoul Central District Court arrested Ahn Chong-bum, a former senior advisor to Park, who faces charges of abuse of power and attempted extortion. Prosecutors are looking into allegations that An and Choi forced South Korean conglomerates to donate funds to non-profit foundations. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - NOVEMBER 4, 2016) (REUTERS) PARK WALKING TOWARDS PODIUM AND BOWING PARK SAYING (Korean): "If needed, I will faithfully cooperate with prosecutors' investigation and I will also accept even an investigation by a special prosecutors' team." Park renewed a tearful apology on Nov. 4 that her "heart was breaking" over the political scandal that had engulfed her administration and said she would cooperate with prosecutors in their investigation. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - NOVEMBER 8, 2016) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOT) FLAGS OF SAMSUNG (LEFT AND RIGHT) AND SOUTH KOREAN NATIONAL FLAG (CENTRE) AT SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS BUILDING (NIGHT SHOT) FLAG OF SAMSUNG SOUTH KOREAN PROSECUTION INVESTIGATORS WALKING OUT OF LIFT, CARRYING BLUE BOXES BLUE BOX BEING CARRIED / BOX READING (Korean and English): "PROSECUTION SERVICE" PROSECUTION INVESTIGATORS CARRYING BOXES, LEAVING SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS BUILDING Investigators in November raided the offices of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-run conglomerate, and Lotte Group as part of a widening probe into the scandal. The businesses are suspected of providing money to two foundations controlled by Choi to win government favours in relation to duty-free licenses, the South's Yonhap News Agency reported.
- 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: LVA0046ME3WAT
- 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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