Chung Yoo-ra attacker undergoes questioning

A robbery suspect who broke into Chung Yoo-ra’s house and injured her friend attends questioning at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

Police questioned a robbery suspect who allegedly targeted Chung Yoo-ra ― the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a central figure behind the influence-peddling scandal that led to the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye ― Monday.

The Seoul Central District Court will decide whether to approve an arrest warrant for the 44-year-old suspect, surnamed Lee, who broke into Chung’s home last Saturday.

Lee earlier testified he committed the crime to pay off his credit card debt of 24 million won ($22,047). A police investigation revealed he began preparing for the crime at least a week in advance, searching for Chung's address online and paying multiple visits to her apartment building beforehand.

Lee threatened a security guard in the underground parking lot of her apartment building and forced him to lead him to her home located on the sixth floor.

Then the suspect tied up the security guard and the nanny of Chung's son with cables, and demanded Chung come out from her bedroom.

Lee then stabbed a friend of Chung’s who was in the apartment at the time and has now been hospitalized but not for any life-threatening injuries.

Police plan to obtain the transaction details of Lee’s bank account, but do not suspect an alternative motive was behind the crime.

They said he was not affiliated with any specific organization and the crime was not requested by a third party.

However, other suspicions are being raised over his motives, primarily because the suspect altered his statements regarding the attack.

Lee first testified he committed the crime to clear up financial ties he had with Chung, but later said it was to pay off his credit card debt.

Also, Lee first said he did not know it was Chung's home, but a police investigation found he had searched for the home address beforehand.

Chung requested strengthened police protection at the hospital where her friend is staying, while cooperating with police questioning as a witness.

Police will provide her with three officers and a GPS-enabled smartwatch capable of tracking her whereabouts.

They will also regularly patrol her residential area.