Former President Park Geun-hye's close friend recommended for 25 years in prison

South Korean prosecutors on December 14 asked the court to sentence Choi Soon-sil, a longtime friend of former President Park Geun-hye, to 25 years in prison for her involvement in the corruption scandal that led to Park's ouster earlier this year.

Ms. Choi Soon-sil (center) is escorted to the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea. (Source: AFP/VNA)

In addition, prosecutors also asked the court to fine Ms. Choi 118.5 billion won (equivalent to 109 million USD) and compensate 7.7 billion won.

Ms. Choi was arrested and indicted last November on 18 charges, including abuse of power, coercion and bribery.

Other charges against her include colluding with Park to force Samsung and other major companies to pay money, as well as interference in state affairs.

Prosecutors also asked the court to sentence Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group, to four years in prison for bribing Ms. Choi with 7 billion won. They also asked him to pay 7 billion won in compensation.

An Chong-bum, Park's senior secretary for policy coordination, was also recommended for six years in prison and a fine of 100 million won for colluding with other key suspects in the case, as well as accepting bribes from a Korean plastic surgeon in exchange for various favors./.

According to Vietnamplus