On the first day of her trial, the jailed confidante of disgraced South Korean President Park Geun-hye yesterday denied using her presidential ties to extort money from powerful companies. It was the first public appearance in weeks for the woman at the heart of a scandal that led to Park’s impeachment.
Choi Soon-sil, Park’s friend of 40 years, wore black glasses and bowed deeply to the three judges before her lawyer, Lee Kyoung-jae, denied that Choi conspired with an ex-presidential adviser to pressure companies to donate money to foundations controlled by Choi.
The hearing at the Seoul Central District Court is to review the charges against Choi, who prosecutors said manipulated state affairs and extorted businesses. It will also set the trial schedule. Ten others swept up in the scandal also face trial.
Photo: EPA
Choi is also known as Choi Seo-won, which is how she was referred to in court.
Choi last appeared in public on Oct. 31, when, after losing a Prada shoe in a crush of media and protesters, she told reporters at the Seoul prosecutors’ office that she had “committed a sin that deserves death.”
It is not clear how long the trial will last. Courts normally issue a verdict within six months of an indictment, so she is likely to get a verdict by May if prosecutors do not bring new charges.
Choi is charged with abuse of power, extortion and attempted fraud. If convicted of all charges, she could receive up to 15 years in prison, court spokesman Shin Jae-hwan said.
Before her arrest, Choi said she that received some of Park’s speeches in advance but that she did not know if they included confidential information. She denied the other allegations.
Prosecutors allege that Choi helped pressure 16 companies to donate a total of 77.4 billion won (US$65.09 million) to create two nonprofit foundations, Mir and K-Sports.
According to the prosecution, Park first brought up the idea of launching the foundations and ordered her senior secretary for policy coordination at the time, Ahn Jong-beom, to ask companies to finance their establishment while letting Choi handle the appointment of foundation officials.
Park’s representatives have questioned the legality of her impeachment by the country’s parliament and said no serious crime was committed.
The South Korean Constitutional Court is reviewing Park’s impeachment. If it rules against her, she would be formally unseated and have to undergo a direct investigation.
Choi, 60, is a daughter of the late Choi Tae-min, a purported cult leader who served as Park’s mentor. Park, 64, is the daughter of Park Chung-hee, a dictator who ruled South Korea for 18 years until his 1979 assassination.
The two women became friends in the 1970s, about the time when Park Geun-hye began serving as first lady after her mother was killed during a failed 1974 assassination attempt on Park Chung-hee. Park Geun-hye once headed a patriotic group set up by the elder Choi, while Choi Soon-sil served as head of its college unit.
Park has immunity from prosecution for most crimes while in office. She has acknowledged that she got help from Choi for editing speeches and on unspecified “public relations” issues, but has denied any other legal wrongdoing.
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