Close friend of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye sentenced to 3 years in prison

(Baonghean.vn)- On June 23, Yonhap news agency reported that Ms. Choi Soon-sil, 61 years old, a long-time close friend and also the central figure in the corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun-hye last March, was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Choi Soon-sil, 61, a longtime friend and central figure in the corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. Photo: Reuters

Prosecutors had demanded a seven-year prison sentence for Choi in late May on charges of obstructing business and using her relationship with former President Park to allow her daughter to receive illegal scholarships and preferential treatment at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

The court's decision is the first against Ms. Choi. Ms. Choi also faces other charges, including accepting bribes worth at least 7.8 billion won ($6.85 million) from Samsung Group.

However, the court has not yet issued a verdict on these charges. If convicted of corruption, ousted President Park Geun-hye and her close friend will face at least 10 years in prison.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)