[UPDATE] State prosecutors question President Park's long-time crony

By Park Sae-jin Posted : October 31, 2016, 16:49 Updated : October 31, 2016, 16:49

Choi Soon-sil apologizes on Monday before entering Supreme Prosecutors' Office. [Yonhap Photo]


Prosecutors placed a long-time friend of South Korea's scandal-stricken President Park Geun-hye, under questioning Monday over allegations that she meddled in state affairs and embezzled money from public funds. 

"I beg your forgiveness, people. I am sorry," Choi Soon-sil covering her face with a dark navy blue bonnie hat, a scarf and sunglasses said after she walked through a crowd of journalists standing outside the office of prosecutors in Seoul.

From a back row, a dozen protestors cursed Choi and called for Park's resignation. "I have committed a serious sin, only punishable by death," she added in the front lobby. At one point, she stumbled to the ground and burst into tears, covering the mouth with her right hand.

The 60-year-old daughter of a religious cult leader is suspected of exploiting her ties with Park to interfere in key state affairs without holding any government post and of siphoning off money from two public funds.

In a bid to assuage public anger on Sunday, Park accepted the resignation of eight aides, including her chief of staff Lee Won-jong and four other senior secretaries in charge of policy coordination, political affairs, civil affairs and public affairs. 

The resignation came a day after thousands of activists and citizens took to the streets in downtown Seoul. The scandal has sent Park's approval ratings to record lows, triggering concern about the early arrival of her lame duck status ahead of next year’s presidential election.

Park admitted in a brief TV speech last week that she had provided Choi drafts of her speeches for editing, but her televised apology fanned suspicions that the woman in question may have had significant influence over the president.

Choi has been portrayed as a Rasputin-like figure whose influence extended to 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.

Financial authorities are looking into whether Choi and her daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, currently a college student, have received illicit or preferential bank loans just months before they moved to Germany. She returned home Sunday to face an investigation by prosecutors.

Last week prosecutors raided the offices of a lobby group for conglomerates and two public foundations -- the Mir Foundation and the K-Sports Foundation -- which were created with 77 billion won (68 million US dollars) donated by dozens of conglomerates.

Choi, who is the daughter of Park's late mentor Choi Tae-min, a controversial cult leader, is suspected of exerting her influence in the creation and operation of the foundations.

Aju News Lim Chang-won and Park Sae-jin
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기