South Korean Court Issues Warrant to Arrest President's 'Shadow Adviser'
18:25 03.11.2016(updated 18:33 03.11.2016)
A South Korean court on Thursday issued a warrant to arrest Choi Soon-sil, a friend and "shadow adviser" of country's President Park Geun-hye, local media reported.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Choi Soon-sil is suspected of using her friendship with the president to influence state affairs as well as embezzling funds from non-profit organizations. On Wednesday, South Korean prosecutors asked a local court to issue an arrest warrant for Choi after placing her into detention earlier in the week.
According to The Korea Herald newspaper, the Seoul Central District Court issued the formal warrant to arrest the adviser after checking charges against her.
The newspaper added that after receiving the warrant the country's prosecutors would have 20 days to investigate Choi and to decide on her imprisonment.
On October 24, the JTBC television network reported that Choi allegedly received drafts of Park's speeches before they were publicly delivered, though she had never held a public post. The following day, Park officially admitted asking Choi for advice on speeches and public relations issues, and apologized for "causing public concern."
The scandal has already caused massive protests in the country. In order to calm the public discontent Park appointed new senior adviser for political affairs and a new chief of staff.
© Sputnik
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