Choi Soon-sil refuses to testify at Samsung heir's trial

By Kim Se-jeong

Choi soon-sil

Choi Soon-sil, a confidant of former President Park Geun-hye, refused to testify at a hearing she attended in the trial of Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong, Wednesday. Choi is also on trial for her roles in a corruption scandal involving Park. The hearing was cancelled immediately.

Samsung heir Lee has been on trial for “donating” tens billions of won to two “foundations” controlled by Choi and sponsoring her daughter, Chung Yoo-ra’s equestrian training in exchange for business favors from Cheong Wa Dae.

“I agreed to attend the trial but I will not speak,” she said at the beginning of the hearing. Choi’s testimony on Wednesday was highly anticipated because her daughter had testified against her and Lee earlier this month.

“Mom said the horse was mine. I heard mom discussing the horse sponsorship with Samsung people,” Chung testified July 12 in front of Lee.

Choi, instead, bombarded the judge with her complaints about the prosecution, according to a local daily.

“Dear judge, listen to me ― I have something to tell you. After Yoo-ra testified earlier this month, I was told she was detained for seven hours. I wanted to know where, but the prosecution didn’t tell me,” Choi said. “I am her mother and have the right to know where my daughter is.”

She continued: “During the investigation, the prosecution forced me to admit Park and I were like a family even sharing bank information. When I resisted, prosecutors threatened to kill all my family members, even my grandson.

“Why did the prosecution get Yoo-ra to testify against me? This is nonsense. I am not testifying.”

It’s not the first time Choi openly complained about the prosecution. In January, she shouted complaints against it to journalists outside the court.