Prosecutors are in search for evidence in a scandal-stricken foundation.[Yonhap News Photo]
Prosecutors seized documents, computer hard discs and other articles of evidence Wednesday in raids into a lobby group for conglomerates and two non-profit foundations allegedly linked to a woman seen as a power broker behind behind President Park Geun-hye.
The raids followed a brief TV speech in which Park acknowledged her controversial relations with Choi Soon-sil, who has been at the center of a corruption scandal that tarnished the president's image.
State prosecutors raided nine places including the Federation of Korean Industries and two sports and culture funds -- the Mir Foundation, the K-Sports Foundation, which were created with a total of 77 billion won (68 million US dollars) donated by Samsung, Hyundai, and other conglomerates.
Investigators also ransacked the home of Choi, who is suspected of embezzling money from the two foundations. There have been allegations that Choi was involved in state affairs and the appointment of government officials as well as Park's personal life and way of thinking.
Park's apology followed revelations by broadcaster JTBS that dozens of presidential speeches had been leaked to Choi before they were delivered. Park admitted Choi had acted as a personal advisor, helping the president prepare for speeches during her presidential election campaign and for a while after she took office in early 2013 as South Korea's first female president.
Choi, the daughter of Park's mentor and late pastor Choi Tae-min and the ex-wife of Park's former secretary Chung Yun-hoi, is suspected of exerting her influence in the creation and operation of the nonprofit foundations.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
