The lawyer of Choi Soon-sil at the center of an influence-peddling scandal announces that Choi returns home Sunday to comply with prosecution investigation. Photo by Namgung Jinwoong of Aju News Corp
A long-time friend of President Park Geun-hye at the center of an influence-peddling scandal returned home Sunday to comply with the prosecution's investigation into allegations that the daughter of a religious cult exploited her ties with the president to interfere in key state affairs.
Choi Soon-sil, 60, came back from Germany and would cooperate with investigators, her lawyer Lee Kyung-jae told reporters in a briefing. He said Choi had asked for a day to rest before speaking with prosecutors as she was “not in good health and also tired after a long flight.”
“She will fully cooperate with the prosecutors’ investigation and state as it is,” he said, adding Choi “deeply apologizes” for causing upset among the public. Choi left Europe on a flight from London to avoid media camped out in Germany, Lee said.
“As her attorney, I think the case must be thoroughly investigated and the truth be told to prevent any further eruption of speculation that goes beyond fantasy
On Saturday, prosecutors searched the homes of senior presidential aides suspected of interacting with Choi and receiving their office files from the Blue House the presidential office and residence. They also attempted to raid the offices of the aides, but the Blue House submitted a letter of disapproval, citing the need to protect state secrets.
The prosecutors had previously summoned some of Choi’s key associates and searched the offices of two nonprofit foundations Choi supposedly controlled.
Thousands of South Koreans took to the streets of Seoul and other cities on Saturday calling for Park's resignation over the widening political scandal that has sent Park’s approval ratings to record lows. Park admitted on Tuesday that she had provided Choi drafts of her speeches for editing, but her televised apology fanned suspicions that Choi, a private citizen, may have had significant influence over Park throughout her presidency.
On Friday, Park ordered 10 of her senior secretaries to resign over a scandal that is likely to hasten the arrival of the president’s lame duck status ahead of next year’s presidential election. Park plans to announce a new lineup of senior secretaries within a few days.
Choi has been portrayed as a Rasputin-like figure whose influence extended to vetting presidential speeches and advising on key appointments and policy issues. Grigori Rasputin was a Russian peasant, mystical faith healer, and trusted friend of the family of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia.
Choi is the daughter of the late Choi Tae-min, who set up his own religious group known as the Church of Eternal Life. He became a longtime mentor to Park, who subsequently formed a close bond with Choi Soon-sil that endured after Choi Tae-min’s death in 1994.
Aju News Alex Lee
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
