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After questioning, special prosecutors seek ex-president Park’s arrest

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After questioning, special prosecutors seek ex-president Park's arrest

Days after disgraced and impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye was invited for questioning in connection to a corruption scandal that toppled her, special prosecutors in Seoul are now seeking her arrest.

The former president whose executive immunity ended after her removal from office was confirmed by the country’s top court earlier this month is accused of multiple offences including bribery, leaking government information, and abuse of power in the scandal.

The prosecution of the 65-year-old has been a key demand of the millions of people who took to the streets to protest against her.

Read also: S’KOREA: Special prosecutors grill Park over influence-peddling scandal

“The accused abused her enormous power and status as president to receive bribes from companies or to infringe upon the rights to freedom of corporate management and leaked important confidential information on state affairs. These are grave issues,” the prosecutors said in a statement on Sunday.

“A large amount of evidence has been collected so far but the accused is denying most of the charges, and there is a risk of destroying evidence in the future,” it said.

Choi Soon-Sil, Park’s secret confidante at the heart of the scandal, is already on trial for forcing top local firms to “donate” nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain.

Park who is the first leader to be ousted from office accepted responsibility for the events that culminated in the Constitutional Court upholding a parliamentary impeachment vote over an influence-peddling scandal that has shaken the political and business elite in South Korea.

 

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