Korean prosecutors request face-to-face questioning of president

intern

November 23, 2016 1:37 PM

Prosecutors had asked Park to be investigated as late as last Friday, but Park’s attorney delayed it to this week.

President Park Geun-Hye has been engulfed by a scandal that centres on a shadowy confidant dubbed the 'female Rasputin'

South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday requested a face-to-face questioning of President Park Geun-hye by Nov. 28 after identifying the president as an accomplice to Choi Soon-sil, Park’s longtime friend indicted for multiple crimes.

An official at the special investigate unit of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office told a press briefing that a notice was sent to the president’s counsel to request Park’s face-to-face interrogation.

After the prosecution office said on Sunday that Park had conspired with her decades-long friend in criminal acts, Park’s lawyer said he would reject any request to question the president.

The team of special prosecutor, who will independently probe the case together with four deputy independent counsels and 20 dispatched prosecutors, is forecast to be launched early December.

The special prosecutor would take over the probe from the special investigative unit after the launch.

Park’s counsel said the president would be investigated by the special prosecutor.

Report says under the country’s constitution, a president has immunity from criminal indictment until his or her single, five-year term ends.

“The president can be investigated if the criminal execution is suspended by the end of presidency,’’ Park’s counsel said.

Meanwhile, Park has about 15 months left in office.

intern