Ex-president Park Geun-hye is being escorted by prosecutors to a detention center.[Yonhap News Photo]
South Korea's ousted leader Park Geun-hye was sent to prison Friday after a court issued an arrest warrant for her active role in a corruption scandal that sparked months of political turmoil.
She became the third ex-president to be placed behind bars in South Korea's political history that brought a misfortune to former national leaders starting with Rhee Syngman, the first president who ruled from 1948 to 1960.
After an overnight hearing, a court agreed to put Park in custody on charges of bribery, abuse of authority, coercion and leaking government secrets, citing a concern of evidence being destroyed.
Park was escorted by prosecutors to a detention center which houses her jailed crony, Choi Soon-sil, Samsung's de facto leader Jay Y. Lee, former aides, and government officials. Prosecutors wanted her arrest, insisting there is a risk of her destroying evidence as she has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing despite ample evidence
If convicted, Park could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison only with charges of bribery.
Park, 65, allegedly abused her "powerful status and authority" to let Choi collect money from top business groups in return for business favors. The Samsung vice chairman was indicted on charges of giving bribes to Choi, though Park argued businessmen have voluntarily donated money.
Ex-president Park Geun-hye wears a sad look while being escorted by prosecutors to a detention center.[Yonhap News Photo]
Park, who took office in early 2013, was impeached by parliament on December 9 at the height of anti-government protests. The constitutional court upheld her impeachment on March 10, accusing her of betraying the confidence of voters, and she was expelled from office two days later.
She is accused of playing a role in blacklisting outspoken figures to prohibit government agencies from providing financial support to them. Her former aides were arrested for creating and managing a list of more than 9,000 artists, writers, and other cultural figures.
Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
