Prosecution, Cheong Wa Dae at odds over President's questioning
State prosecutors said Wednesday that President Park Geun-hye should be questioned no later than this week over her possible role in the influence-peddling scandal involving her close friend, a day after her attorney requested a delay.
The prosecution looking into the scandal said its position remains unchanged in that the president should undergo face-to-face questioning regarding allegations that she let her close friend Choi Soon-sil interfere in state affairs and peddle influence using her ties to the president.
"Our basic stance is that the questioning should have been carried out by today (Wednesday) and we said yesterday that we can accept (a delay) until Thursday," a senior prosecutor at the investigation team said. "For us, the deadline has been crossed."
"However, we will make yet another concession and tell (the attorney) that it can be conducted on Friday," he said.
The prosecution had originally said the president should be questioned a few days before investigators formally indict Choi, who is currently in custody due to a string of allegations raised against her.
Following the prosecution's decision to question Park in regards to the scandal, which would be the first prosecutorial questioning of a sitting South Korean president, she appointed lawyer Yoo Yeong-ha on Monday to be present for the legal procedures.
Yoo held a press conference on Tuesday and asked to delay the questioning, saying he needs "considerable time to review the case and make the necessary preparations." (Yonhap)