Park scandal widens, prosecutors set up task-force
Print Edition
SOUTH Korean prosecutors yesterday set up a high-powered “task-force” to probe a widening scandal involving alleged influence-peddling by a close confidante of President Park Geun-hye.
Choi Soon-sil, an enigmatic woman with no government position, was already part of an investigation into allegations that she used her relationship with the president to strong-arm conglomerates into multi-million dollar donations to two non-profit foundations.
The scandal snowballed when it emerged that Choi had also been given advance access to presidential speeches and other documents — a revelation that forced Park to make a televised public apology.
Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam told the new task force to “investigate thoroughly and reveal the whole truth,” a public affairs official said.
Led by the head of the powerful Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office, the new unit will absorb the smaller team investigating the earlier allegations against Choi.
South Korean media reports have suggested Choi revised Park’s speeches and may have influenced key government appointments and even the president’s North Korea policy.
The scandal has been extremely damaging for Park whose approval ratings have slumped to record lows at a time of elevated military tensions with the North, and problems with skyrocketing household debt and falling exports at home.
Choi left the country last month for Germany and, in her first interview since the scandal broke, said she was suffering from serious stress-induced health problems. In the interview with the Segye Times, she admitted receiving presidential documents but denied intervening in state affairs or coercing donations from conglomerates.
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