Park faces criminal charges: prosecution

By Kim Bo-eun

As the indictment deadline approaches for Choi Soon-sil, President Park Geun-hye’s confidant who is embroiled in Korea’s worst corruption scandal, prosecutors seriously consider mentioning President Park as a suspect and accomplice in the indictment documents.

The deadline for Choi’s indictment is on Sunday. Choi is under arrest on charges of attempted fraud and abuse of power.

In theory, the prosecution is required to question the President before drawing up Choi’s documents, but the prosecutors seems confident.

“This has been the question for many of us prosecutors,” said Lee Young-ryeol, head of the prosecution’s special investigation team. “We’ve interviewed many and attempted to collect evidence. What we can say is that at this point, she can be in trouble for what she has done.”

The prosecution had set Friday as the deadline to interview Park, but her legal representative Yoo Yeong-ha said Thursday the President will attend questioning next week. Yoo cited the need for time to prepare for her defense as a reason for the delay, but it’s widely speculated to be buying time for Park.

President Park has ample reason to delay.

Having her name mentioned as a suspect or accomplice will be confirmation of her charges which will serve as grounds for her impeachment.

Calls are growing from the public and the National Assembly for her to step down over her involvement in the massive scandal.

“Even though the prosecution was unable to question her this week, prosecutors can change and add to the content of the documents after the questioning takes place,” Hur Yoon, a partner at law firm Yeyul, told The Korea Times.

“Besides, prosecutors say they have collected sufficient evidence ― such as from former presidential secretary An Chong-bum’s notebook,” he said.

An and Jeong Ho-seong, another former presidential aide suspected of having leaked classified state files to Choi, are expected to be indicted with Choi on Sunday.

On Thursday night, the prosecution sought an arrest warrant for Kim Chong, former vice minister of culture, sports and tourism. Kim faces charges of abusing his power to promote the interests of Choi, for favors such as putting his associates in high-profile positions in the government.

Kim is also suspected of having pressured Samsung to “donate” 1.6 billion won in the funds to the Korea Winter Sports Elite Center, founded by Choi’s niece, Jang Si-ho, who was arrested for embezzlement on Friday.