Ex-president, Samsung heir greet New Year in prison

By Kim Bo-eun

Former President Park Geun-hye

Former President Park Geun-hye and Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong greeted the New Year in prison. In detention, they are undergoing trials related to the massive corruption scandal that removed Park from office last year.

Those also facing the same fate are Park’s longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, her former aide Woo Byung-woo and her former chief of staff Kim Ki-choon.

The inmates had tteokguk, or rice cake soup, which Koreans traditionally eat on New Year’s Day. As a special meal, samgyetang, or chicken soup with ginseng, was also served.

In addition, marking the New Year, the detention center screened the American romantic comedy “50 First Dates” featuring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Park, who was impeached on March 10 last year, has been detained at the Seoul Detention Center since a warrant was issued on March 31. A second warrant was issued in October, extending her detention through April this year.

The court has been off since Dec. 26 until Jan. 5, but hearings on Park’s bribery charges have been held throughout the period.

Park has been refusing to attend court hearings, so they are currently taking place without the defendant.

Since her detainment began, Park has refused visitors, including the public defenders who assumed the role after her attorneys resigned.

On Dec. 26, she refused to be questioned by prosecutors at the detention center over allegations the National Intelligence Service provided bribes to Cheong Wa Dae under her administration.

Park is reportedly spending her time in prison reading novels.

Samsung Group Vice Chairman Lee, who was detained on bribery charges on Feb. 17 last year, is awaiting his second trial on Feb. 5.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in his first trial and prosecutors sought 12 years for him in his second trial.

Lee’s mother and two sisters, as well as Samsung executives, have visited him.

Lee is reportedly spending his time working out and reading.

Choi, Park’s former close friend whose arrest warrant was issued in October 2015, has been detained for the longest period among those imprisoned for charges related to the presidential scandal.

Choi, who received a three-year sentence in her second trial for irregularities in her daughter’s college admission, is awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling. The independent counsel last month sought a 25-year term for Choi on bribery charges.

Former presidential aide Woo, whose arrest warrant was issued last month, has also been imprisoned.

He faces charges including abuse of power. Woo is attending the prosecution’s questioning over additional allegations.

Park’s former chief of staff Kim, who has been detained since Jan. 21 last year, is reportedly facing deteriorating health conditions.

Kim, who faces charges of abuse of power, received a three-year sentence in his first trial and prosecutors have sought a seven-year sentence in his second trial.