Park undergoes questioning over corruption scandal

Former President Park Geun-hye walks past photo journalists taking her picture in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

Park will be released after questioning, warrant expected to be sought later

By Jung Min-ho

Former President Park Geun-hye underwent questioning Tuesday as a key suspect in the corruption scandal that led to her removal from office.

Speaking to reporters near the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in southern Seoul, Park said, “I’m sorry to the people. I will sincerely cooperate with the prosecution.”

But her message with little substance was far from what many had expected. When Son Bum-kyu, one of her lawyers, said earlier that she would speak to the public, many anticipated something more meaningful.

As she entered the office at 9:23 a.m., she did not answer questions from reporters.

After a short meeting with high-ranking prosecutors on the building’s 10th floor, Park went into interrogation room No. 1001, which is equipped with audio and video recording devices.

But prosecutors said they would not record the questioning because her lawyers objected to them doing so.

Two senior prosecutors ― Han Woong-jae and Lee Won-seok ― questioned Park, while two of her lawyers ― Yoo Young-ha and Jung Jang-hyun ― took turns by her side during the interrogation.

The prosecution said Park would be released after questioning. She is likely to leave the office at dawn Wednesday as the interrogation will carry on through the night.

“Former President Park will return to her home after the questioning is over,” a prosecutor told reporters.

When asked why the prosecution decided not to record the questioning, the prosecutor said it was to prevent unnecessary arguments.

The prosecution asked three other key suspects ― Park’s confidant Choi Soon-sil and former presidential secretaries An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seung ― to come to the office that day, but they refused to comply.

To seek an arrest warrant or not?

The question now is whether the prosecution, which has repeatedly claimed to have collected “plenty of evidence” about Park’s complicity in the scandal, will seek an arrest warrant.

Kim Kyung-jin, a prosecutor-turned-lawmaker of the People’s Party, believes the possibility is high, saying he thinks the prosecution will file a request with a court to issue a warrant later this week.

“I’m sure that she will be arrested. Those who took orders from her, including An and Jeong, have already been arrested over the scandal,” he said during a YTN radio program. “It is likely that prosecutors will indict her before the presidential election campaigns begin on April 17."

Among 13 different charges brought against Park are bribery, abuse of power and passing on state secrets to an unauthorized individual, Choi.

Most notably and seriously, Park allegedly colluded with Choi in getting 43.3 billion won ($39 million) from Samsung in return for supporting a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015 ― a crucial move for Samsung heir Lee Jae-young to tighten his control on the group’s management.

In its ruling to uphold her impeachment earlier this month, the Constitutional Court acknowledged Park’s abuse of power, saying she used it for Choi’s personal gain.

But the court did not specify the nature of the money she apparently received from major companies, including Samsung, SK, Lotte and CJ.

While the companies claim they were forced by the former president to make “donations” to two shady foundations controlled by Choi, prosecutors believe the money was part of “backdoor deals” with Park and her friend.

If prosecutors prove the money was given as bribes, Park could get a life sentence, but with charges of abuse of authority, she can expect a lighter punishment.

Samsung’s de facto head Lee has already been indicted on charges of giving bribes to Park and Choi. Other business tycoons, including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, have been questioned or are awaiting questioning on similar allegations.

The result of the former president’s interrogation will affect their fates too.

When she was in office, Park took advantage of her presidential immunity from prosecution to avoid questioning. Since the Constitutional Court verdict on March 10, she has not said she accepts the decision. Instead, she has tried to paint herself as a political victim, saying “the truth will be revealed in the end.”