The daughter of South Korea’s “Rasputin,” whose lavish lifestyle in Europe was allegedly funded by millions of US dollars in bribes, yesterday returned home to face questioning by prosecutors investigating an influence-peddling scandal that has rocked the country.
Chung Yoo-ra is the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the close confidante of impeached former South Korean president Park Geun-hye and the woman at the heart of the scandal which toppled Park.
Choi — dubbed “the female Rasputin” for her strong influence over Park — is on trial along with the former president.
Photo: Reuters
Prosecutors say cash for Chung’s equestrian training came from electronics giant Samsung, which had handed over the money as part of an attempt to curry favour with her powerful mother.
Chung, who was arrested by Danish police in January for overstaying her visa, dropped her appeal against extradition from Denmark last week.
She was arrested on a Korean Air flight from Amsterdam early yesterday and was escorted off the plane at Incheon by a team of prosecutors to face a handful of journalists and television cameras.
She is accused of receiving bribes from Samsung, illegally moving money abroad and violating South Korean laws on the handling of foreign currency during her stay in Europe.
“I thought it was best to tell my side of the story and resolve the misunderstandings,” the 20-year-old said, adding that she had no knowledge of the “special treatment” she allegedly received.
“I know nothing about what went on between my mother and the former president, but I feel I was wronged,” she said.
Park was ousted in March amid public disgust at the influence of money on South Korean politics.
Park and Choi are on trial for allegedly accepting or seeking millions of dollars in bribes from huge conglomerates, including Samsung.
Samsung heir Jay Y. Lee is being tried separately, while Shin Dong-bin, the chairman of retail giant Lotte, also stands accused.
The spiralling investigation has caught up with Chung, who was also allegedly granted a place at the prestigious Ewha Womans University and given top grades thanks to her mother’s intervention.
Following months of protest by Ewha students, the school canceled Chung’s admission.
“I never attended classes so I accept the cancelation of my admission,” said Chung, who is also accused by prosecutors of obstructing business at the school.
“I don’t even know what my major is and I never wanted to go to university so I have nothing to say about it, but I’m sorry,” she added, before being taken to Seoul Prosecutors’ Office for questioning.
Prosecutors said they intend to seek a seven-year jail term for Choi for her involvement in Chung’s illicit admission, while they said the former dean of Ewha — who has been arrested — could serve five years in prison.
Sentencing for Choi on the charge is set for June 23.
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