Prosecution likely to seek a new arrest warrant for Chung

By Lee Kyung-min

The prosecution is seeking to issue a new arrest warrant for Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the central figure in the influence-peddling and corruption scandal that removed former President Park Geun-hye from office. The prosecution plans to summon Chung again for questioning this week.

Officials at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office are reportedly seeking to add new charges of obstruction of business, obstruction of justice, siphoning away criminal assets, violating the law on foreign currency and bribery against Chung.

The move came after Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution's request to arrest Chung, early Saturday, saying it was difficult to recognize the reason and the need for her arrest.

The court’s decision was taken to mean it acknowledged that Chung was involved in the alleged crimes, but not deep enough for it to issue the warrant.

It virtually deemed the primary offender was Choi, with Chung’s role being minimal, and that her arrest was unnecessary as enough evidence has already been secured.

However, the prosecution is likely to increase its efforts to put her behind bars, as what Chung unwittingly tells to prosecutors could prove to be crucial in the trials of Choi, former President Park and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. They have all been indicted on bribery charges. Chung, a former dressage competitor, has allegedly been the core beneficiary of the business group’s financial support for her equestrian practice overseas.

The prosecution will also take into account that Chung is the symbolic figure in the influence-peddling scandal that includes admissions and grading irregularities at Ewha Womans University that benefited her, and the alleged conspiracy with her mother to receive bribes from Samsung.

Should Chung become free of any punitive measures, criticism is inevitable given that the school’s key faculty members and its former president were all indicted over the suspected granting of illicit favors to Chung.

The school's former President Choi Kyung-hee, former admissions officer Namkung Gon, dean of physical education Kim Kyung-sook and media studies professor Lyou Chul-gyun, whose penname is Lee In-hwa, were all indicted along with Choi Soon-sil.

The prosecution is expected to investigate further to prove that Chung was actively engaged in or conspired with her mother in a string of other criminal activities.

The prosecution did not seem daunted by the district court’s rejection Saturday given the second arrest warrant sought for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong by the independent counsel-led team was issued after the first one was rejected.

Chung has so far denied any knowledge of the allegations raised against her, saying that she did not know about the relationship between her mother and former President Park. She added she thought it was unfair for her to take responsibility for what happened between the two.

Her stance is largely considered a defense strategy for her upcoming trial, as consistent denial of any knowledge about allegations will help her deny responsibility and avoid subsequent punishment.