By Lee Kyung-min
The prosecution appealed to a court to issue a new arrest warrant for ousted President Park Geun-hye, Monday, saying she could refuse to cooperate for the remaining court hearings if she was released from custody.
The Seoul Central District Court held a hearing Monday, to decide whether to extend the detention of Park who was removed from office following the influence-peddling scandal involving her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil.
The prosecution sought a new arrest warrant Sept. 26, claiming further investigation was needed concerning bribery charges involving SK Group and Lotte Group.
The court said its decision will be made within the week.
Unless the court issues a new arrest warrant, which will extend her detention for another six months, Park will be released from custody next Tuesday and appear before the court only when hearings are held.
“Park is the central figure of the bribery corruption scandal in the amount of tens of billions of won, part of which she pursued for personal benefit. She tried to interfere with personnel affairs at public and private institutions and big companies through her friend Choi,” the prosecution said.
Park is highly likely to remain uncooperative once she is released from custody, based on her past behavior, it added.
“Park refused to appear for questioning multiple times after promising to do so. There was even an incident where she barely made it for the hearing only after being chastised by the court. We cannot expect her cooperation, which would pose a major threat to the court’s efforts towards a speedy trial.”
Given she gave direct orders and regularly briefed witnesses on the developments, she will definitely try to influence witnesses to change or recant their testimonies, prosecutors said.
In response, Yoo Young-ha, the defense attorney for Park, said the prosecution’s request was baseless because she has already been questioned over charges concerning the two business groups.
“Under criminal law, issuing an arrest warrant is not required if the prosecution is seeking a new one based on charges already specified in the initial indictment documents. Park was questioned and the court has reviewed the testimonies of related figures in full,” Yoo said.
He asked the court to show leniency to his client who he described as “one thrown in front of lions surrounded by a frantic crowd.”
“She was elected president after overcoming personal tragedy and has never been involved in any bribery or political scandal. She lost her reputation. This is a trial conducted amid continued public fanaticism. I ask the court to exercise a sense of humanity,” he said.
Finding her guilty or not guilty, he said, should be based only on the evidence, not public sentiment.
Earlier, the prosecution asked the court to show no leniency to Park, citing the issuance of new arrest warrants for her alleged accomplices after the initial ones expired.
They included former presidential secretaries An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong, former Vice Culture Minister Kim Jong and former Korea Creative Content Agency CEO Song Sung-gak.
However, Yoo said the arrest warrants for them were all issued because the prosecution added new charges, stressing no such additional charges have been filed against Park.
When the court gave Park a chance to speak, she refused.
Meanwhile, former member of Saenuri Party Rep. Cho Won-jin, the leader of the far-right minor opposition Korean Patriots’ Party, said he would initiate a hunger strike in an effort to have the request dismissed.
“The prosecution’s move to seek a new arrest warrant is beyond a human rights violation amounting to political confinement. I hereby declare my intention to continue my action in hopes that former President Park stand trial without physical detention and ultimately be released from custody.”
Reps. Chung Woo-taek and Kim Jin-tae of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party said they would convene a general party meeting to determine the party’s official stance.