Park may be banned from leaving country

An investigator and a moving crew load boxes of investigation material from the independent counsel team’s office to move them to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, March 3. / Yonhap

By Lee Kyung-min

Speculation mounted Sunday as to whether the prosecution would impose a travel ban on disgraced former President Park Geun-hye, following the Constitutional Court ruling that removed her from office.

The prosecution now has full authority as to when and how to question Park who is no longer immune from prosecution, a privilege she enjoyed as a sitting president.

As the prosecution is not required to seek a district court’s prior approval, imposing the ban would indicate the degree of commitment in holding Park accountable over wide-ranging criminal allegations including bribery.

If the ban is imposed, a search of Cheong Wa Dae, and an analysis of Park’s bank records for financial transactions and telecommunication records would follow.

The prosecution is likely seek an arrest warrant for Park, as she is highly likely to destroy evidence and also poses a flight risk.

It can issue a summons twice to ask her to come to Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (SCDPO) for questioning. However, if Park fails to comply on both occasions, it can then apply for a court-issued emergency arrest warrant to forcibly bring her to the office.

Her confidant Choi Soon-sil was brought before an independent counsel team in such a fashion after she refused to appear for questioning, alleging abusive interrogation methods.

Last year, Park managed to dodge prosecution questioning three times saying she was unable to make the time due to other pressing issues including the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate the influence-peddling scandal and measures to normalize state affairs amid the political scandal that continued to grow.

Even after the independent counsel Park Young-soo was appointed, then President Park still continued to stall, ending up abruptly cancelling face-to-face questioning, claiming details about the schedule were leaked to the press. At the time, the team had prepared 50 pages of questions.

Such maneuvering will no longer be accepted as she has been stripped of her presidential privileges.

The prosecution has already indicted Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong as the key figure in bribery allegations involving Park and Choi.

Numerous former and incumbent Cheong Wa Dae officials among Park’s top aides have also been indicted over allegations including bribery, abuse of authority and extortion.

Meanwhile, concerns linger that questioning Park might prove more difficult than expected as the country is preparing for an early presidential election, which must be held no later than May 9.

The prosecution is wary that campaigning could be influenced by its investigation into Park, as conservative voters are likely to feel sympathetic to her if she is treated harshly.

The possibility, while slim, remains that the investigation might be referred to a new team after a newly elected president names a new justice minister and prosecutor general.