SKorean president sees confidante detained

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) – South Korean prosecutors are to decide within 48 hours whether to seek an arrest warrant for a woman suspected of secretly guiding state affairs, as Choi Soon-sil was detained on an emergency basis after hours of questioning late Monday.

The 60-year-old was summoned by Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office after returning from a stay in Europe Sunday -- having become a figure of notoriety following weeks of appearances in local headlines.

Also accused of abusing her close ties to President Park Geun-hye for financial gain and to ensure preferential treatment for her daughter at a top Seoul university, Choi "has denied all of the charges against her" according to a prosecution official cited by Yonhap News Agency.

She is being held temporarily for fear of her attempting to flee or destroy evidence.

Choi appeared distressed as she was forced to fight through hundreds of reporters and protesters when answering her summons Monday afternoon.

“I am so sorry,” she said on her way in to face prosecutors. “I have committed an unpardonable crime.”

Her lawyer clarified that she only meant she should be punished accordingly if she had broken the law.

Last week came the revelation that Choi had been vetting drafts of key policy speeches on behalf of the president despite being a private citizen.

Park’s subsequent apology failed to prevent her approval ratings falling below 20 percent for the first time since taking office in 2013, with protesters calling for her resignation across the country.

Aside from saying sorry to the nation, Park has responded so far with a reshuffle of senior secretaries and other aides.

On Tuesday morning, a 45-year-old man rammed an excavator into the building of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, located across the street from where Choi appeared for questioning, in an incident that left a security guard injured.

The driver was arrested and told police during interrogation that he had carried out the act "to help Choi Soon-sil die as she said she committed a sin that deserves death".