News / Koreas

Confidante of S Korean president awaiting trial over graft charges

Sunday, 18 December 2016 8:23 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 18 December 2016 9:04 AM ]

Choi Soon-sil (L), a confidante of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, is escorted following her formal arrest, from the Central District Court in Seoul on November 3, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

The trial into the case of a confidante of South Korean President Park Geun-hye will open over a corruption scandal that has rocked the government.

The hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, which is planned to be held on Monday, will review charges against Choi Soon-sil, who is alleged to have peddled influence over Park.

Court spokesman Shin Jae-hwan said Choi could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all charges of extortion, abuse of power and attempted fraud.

Choi, a friend of Park for about 40 years, manipulated state affairs and extorted businesses, according to prosecutors.

She is currently in custody and is not required to attend Monday’s session.

Although it is not clear how long the trial will last, South Korean courts usually issue a verdict within six months of indictment.

Choi last appeared in public on October 31 and told reporters at the Seoul prosecutors’ office that she had “committed a sin that deserves death.”

South Korean protesters wearing masks of South Korean President Park Geun-hye (L) and her long-time friend, Choi Soon-sil, march during a rally calling for Park’s resignation in Seoul, South Korea, November 18, 2016. (Photo by AP)

South Korea has witnessed a wave of protests since October, when the president was implicated in a corruption scandal.

Park was impeached and had her presidential powers suspended. Now the court will rule whether she should permanently step down or be reinstated.

Park’s impeachment focused on charges that she had colluded with Choi pressuring big businesses to donate tens of millions of dollars to two dubious non-profit foundations backing presidential initiatives.

She has denied any wrongdoing, but made an apology for carelessness in her ties with her long-time friend.

The South Korean leader has indicated that she would not step down, but if she quits or her impeachment is upheld, a presidential election has to be held in the Southeast Asian state in 60 days.

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