Daughter of former president's confidant avoids being murdered

Police caught Saturday an unidentified man who infiltrated into an apartment home of Chung Yoo-ra, above, in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and stabbed a man inside. / Yonhap

By Ko Dong-hwan

The daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the high-profile confidant of former President Park Geun-hye, avoided possibly being murdered Saturday as police caught a man who had broken into into her home with the alleged intention of killing her.

Chung Yoo-ra, 21, saw a man, identified by his surname Lee, 44, break into her home in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 3 p.m.

Lee threatened a security guard at the entrance of her apartment building and forced him to lead him to her suite. Entering her home, he stabbed a man inside.

Police received a report about the break-in and stabbing and arrived at the scene, where they grabbed Lee. The unidentified victim was taken to a hospital where he received a treatment.

During police questioning Lee confessed that he has a monetary issue with Chung.

Chung is suspected of gaining entrance to Ewha Womans University with the help of her mother, Choi, who abused her influence with Park to influence university officials, including the school’s president, to enroll her daughter. Chung was admitted to the school as an equestrian in 2015 over other candidates who had better credentials, according to an investigation by the Ministry of Education.

Chung was investigated for entering the school illegally but avoided prosecution.