Danish prosecution to extradite daughter of Park's friend

By Ko Dong-hwan

The Danish prosecution said Friday it decided to extradite the daughter of ousted Korean President Park Geun-hye's close friend for an investigation into a corruption scandal that led to Park’s impeachment.

"It is the assessment of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that all conditions to extradite a South Korean woman to her home country are met," the prosecution said in a press release, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Chung Yoo-ra was arrested in the European country's northern city of Aalborg in January after Korean investigators put her on a wanted list. She is suspected of having received inappropriate academic and financial favors based on her mother's close relationship with the former leader.

It remains unclear if Chung will return home immediately as it is possible she appeals the decision.

The Danish court said Chung “has three days to decide whether she will bring the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions before the Danish courts," adding "If that happens, the District Court of Aalborg will be the first instance."

Korea's independent counsel team that investigated the scandal had asked Denmark to send Chung home for questioning. She has so far refused to voluntarily return home to face the probe.

A number of former and current professors at Ewha Womans University linked to undue favors given to Chung have been arrested and indicted.

Chung’s mother, Choi Soon-sil, whose alleged influence-peddling behind Park abused the former president’s authority to amass her private assets, is currently standing trial over the charges.

Park is waiting to undergo an interrogation next Tuesday over a string of corruption allegations by prosecutors, who are looking into issues that remain unresolved by the special counsel team.

"I know that the case has been subject to great attention in South Korea," said Deputy Director Mohammad Ahsan from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Denmark.

"I am pleased that there has been a prevalent understanding of the fact that the case has taken the necessary time to handle it both thoroughly and in accordance with our legislation."