SKorean ‘Rasputin’ faces prosecutors

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) – South Korea’s ongoing political crisis took a new turn Monday when a close confidante of President Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil, faced questioning over a string of allegations.

Wearing a dark hat and scarf, Choi appeared distressed as she was forced to fight through a scrum of reporters and protesters upon arrival at Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office to answer her summons.

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

The 60-year-old returned to South Korea over the weekend following a stay in Europe, having become one of the country’s most notorious figures in recent days.

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 arrived at a time when Choi was already suspected of abusing her connections to the president for financial gain and also to ensure preferential treatment for her daughter at school and university.

With approval ratings plunging below 20 percent for the first time since taking office in 2013, Park’s position is looking increasingly vulnerable -- protesters calling for her resignation rallied across the country Saturday and plan to do so again next month.

Aside from saying sorry to the nation for secretly leaning on Choi’s advice, Park has responded with a reshuffle of senior secretaries and other aides.

Speculation is rife that she will go further and replace her prime minister in an effort to restore faith in the government.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s police chief attempted to calm any fears of unrest.

“There have been worries that a vacuum in public security could come due to the latest social turmoil,” Lee Cheol-seong was quoted as saying by local news agency Yonhap during a meeting with senior officers in Seoul. “We should commit to our duties unwaveringly.”