Ex-President denies all charges at first court hearing [VIDEO]

Park Geun-hye, left, and Choi Soon-sil at the Seoul Central District Court, Seoul, May 23. / Joint Press Corps

Former President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday denied all charges at her first court hearing over a massive corruption scandal which led to her ouster in March.

The former president was indicted last month for bribery, abuse of power, coercion and leaks of government secrets in 18 suspected crimes.

Park, handcuffed and in a navy suit, arrived at the Seoul Central District Court, escorted by correctional officers. It was her first public appearance since she was put into custody on March 31.

A solemn-looking Park entered the courtroom at 10 a.m. with handcuffs removed. She headed straight to the dock and gave a slight nod to a group of attorneys but did not turn her eyes when Choi Soon-sil, Park's friend at the center of the influence-peddling scandal, came to sit at the dock as well. The courtroom was filled with dozens of citizens and reporters.

/ Joint Press Corps

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin was also present at the court to stand trial along with the former president.

"The defendants, including former President Park Geun-hye, ignored due legal procedures and damaged people's sovereignty and the rule of law to gain personal profits," a prosecution official said. "We will do our best to prove (the allegations) to clearly show the truth surrounding the case."

Park's lawyer Yoo Yeong-ha said the charges filed by the prosecution are based on "inference and imagination, not strict evidence."

"Much of the evidence provided by the prosecution are news articles. I want to ask since when have prosecutors been using news articles as evidence in criminal cases," he said.

Park said, "My stance is the same as my attorneys."

The trial was presided over by a three-justice panel, led by Judge Kim Se-yun who is also in charge of Choi's trial.

One of the gravest allegations Park faces is that she took or solicited bribes worth some 59.2 billion won ($52 million) from three conglomerates -- Samsung, Lotte and SK -- for herself or her friend Choi. If convicted, she could face a prison term of 10 years to life.

The trial of Samsung's de facto leader Lee Jae-yong is already underway after he was indicted in February.

Other key issues include creating and managing a blacklist of artists deemed critical of the government and pressuring local companies to donate billions of won to two dubious foundations allegedly controlled by Choi.

Prosecutors also suspect that the former leader pressured local firms to sign business contracts with Choi's companies.

Park is the country's third former president to stand trial over corruption allegations after Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo who were tried and convicted in 1996-97.

The court is expected to deliver the ruling before the period of Park's detention expires six months after the indictment, which took place on April 17.

Her second hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The court plans to hold hearings every two to three times a week to review evidence and question witnesses. (Yonhap)

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