South Korean President Park Geun Hye conspired to take bribes from technology giant Samsung and engaged in a pattern of influence-peddling and abuse of powers, a special prosecutor said Monday. Independent counsel Park Young Soo announced the results of a 70-day probe into a scandal that already has led to the indictment of 30 people, including Samsung heir Lee Jae Yong and President Park’s longtime confidant Choi Soon Sil.
The prosecutor confirmed the president is suspected of colluding with Choi to take bribes from Samsung’s Lee in return for business favors. The prosecutor also linked Park to illegal blacklisting by her aides of almost 10,000 liberal-leaning writers, artists and other cultural figures deemed critical of her administration.
President Park, who was impeached in December, issued a statement through her lawyer Yoo Yeong Ha rejecting the allegations and denouncing the special prosecutor as “politically biased,” South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. Park has repeatedly blamed political foes for her troubles, saying she was framed.
Samsung issued a statement saying it also disagreed with the findings. “Samsung has not paid bribes nor made improper requests seeking favors. Future court proceedings will reveal the truth,” the statement said.
Lee and four other senior Samsung executives were indicted last week on charges including embezzlement and bribery. Lee is accused of paying more than $35 million in bribes to entities run by Choi in return for government backing of a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015. Lee, 48, faces trial Thursday on charges that could bring a 20-year prison sentence.
Samsung Electronics’ link to a scandal that has gripped South Korea and lead to the impeachment of its President deepened Tuesday after authorities formally charged the heir to the company’s founder with bribery and embezzlement. Newslook
Park, 65, has asked a constitutional court to reinstate her powers and can’t face charges while in office. If the court does not remove her, she would remain president until February 2018. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo Ahn is serving as acting president.
The probe had also looked into admissions fraud surrounding Choi’s daughter Chung Yoo Ra, President Park’s secretive medical treatments and calls she made from a phone under a borrowed name. The independent counsel’s request to extend the probe period was denied by Hwang.
The state prosecutor’s office said its team of investigators, which indicted Choi in November, has received the special prosecutor’s information and will take over the probe.
Park is South Korea’s first female president and the daughter of Park Chung Hee, who led the nation as its president and dictator for 18 years until his assassination in 1979.
