The prosecution has obtained fresh evidence and testimonies that may implicate President Park Geun-hye in the spiraling scandal involving her confidante Choi Soon-sil.

Park’s ex-presidential aides, who are now under questioning in the prosecution’s probe, told interrogators that they had just followed orders from President Park, after initially denying her role in the scandal, multiple media outlets reported Thursday.

According to reports, An Chong-bum, ex-presidential secretary for policy coordination, testified that Park specifically ordered him to help the Mir and K-Sports foundations to raise funds from conglomerates.

An was arrested for abusing authority and attempted coercion. Choi, who is at the center of the influence-peddling scandal, was also arrested for being an accomplice to An. Choi, who on paper holds no title in the entities, is said to have orchestrated their foundation, fundraising and project management.   

An also allegedly said that Park ordered him to help Cha Eun-taek, a TV commercial director and Choi’s close associate who was arrested for extorting shares from a midsize ad company. After failing to take over Poreka, a former in-house ad company for Posco, Cha allegedly threatened the firm to hand over 80 percent of its shares or face a tax evasion probe.

The prosecution is said to have discovered recorded conversations between Park and Jeong Ho-seong, a former secretary of the president, in connection with the scandal, on his phones that were confiscated during the raid of his residence.
(Yonhap)In the recorded file, Park was heard ordering Jeong to show policy-related documents to Choi and to seek her opinion. In another recorded file, Jeong called Choi to tell her the documents were sent.

Jeong had initially denied knowing Choi and delivering confidential documents to her, but later admitted to doing so under Park’s orders. He was arrested for leaking official documents such as presidential speeches and policy guidelines.

President Park appears to deny her involvement in forcing local firms to donate money to the foundations.

In a second televised address Friday, Park said she did not know Choi peddled influence and embezzled funds for personal gain.

Park also said she would undergo prosecutorial questioning if necessary.

By Ock Hyun-ju  (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

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