South Korean president’s confidante faces detention

Prosecutors in South Korea have requested an arrest warrant for Choi Soon-sil, President Park Geun-hye’s long-time friend, as Park’s popularity plunges over allegations of favoritism.

The Seoul prosecutor’s office on Wednesday asked the Seoul Central District Court to approve an arrest warrant for Choi, according to court spokesman Shin Jae-hwan.

Prosecutors accused Choi of abuse of authority and attempted fraud, Shin said.

The charge of abuse of power comes even as Choi had no official position, which is why her alleged role in influencing policies has come under fire.

Shin said the court will likely determine whether to approve the arrest warrant by Friday morning.

Last week, 64-year-old Park acknowledged that Choi, 60, had edited some of her speeches and provided public relations help.

Choi had previously said that she had received some of Park’s speeches and other documents; however, she had said that she was not aware if the material she was seeing contained confidential information.

South Korean media have reported allegations that Choi pulled government strings from the shadows and pushed businesses to donate millions of dollars to two foundations she controlled to obtain money for her personal use and for Park’s post-retirement activities.

It was not still clear how much influence, in any, Choi had on state matters. South Korean media reported that some of the documents transferred to Choi included confidential information like secret military talks with North Korea.

One TV station aired footage showing Choi picking up the clothes Park would wear.

With Park’s approval rating nosediving over the scandal, some opposition politicians have called for her resignation, though none has taken any concrete action to prepare for her impeachment.

The latest public surveys put Park’s approval rating at about 10 percent, the lowest since her inauguration in February 2013. Polls also showed that about half of the respondents thought Park should resign or be impeached by the National Assembly.

Park has replaced her prime minister and two other top officials in a bid to restore public confidence amid the scandal. She has also fired eight presidential aides.

It was not clear how the dismissed officials were connected to the scandal around Choi.

South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party immediately criticized Park’s reshuffles, saying the changes were an attempt to divert attention away from the scandal. It said Park must reveal the whole truth about her ties with Choi.

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