A file picture on protesters calling for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye. [Aju News DB]
Prosecutors have summoned one of President Park Geun-hye's confidants for questioning in a probe into illegal activities by the president's crony who has been at the heart of a widening corruption scandal.
Ahn Jong-Beom, who was ordered to appear at the office of prosecutors Wednesday, has been regarded as one of Park's close confidants. He and other senior presidential secretaries resigned Sunday in a shake-up aimed at assuaging widespread public anger.
The 57-year-old had been responsible for economic affairs and policy coordination at the president's office.
Prosecutors will look into allegations that Ahn played a role in the establishment of two public foundations, Mir and K-Sports, which were created with 77.4 billion won (68 million US dollars) donated by dozens of conglomerates.
Choi Soon-sil, seen as a power broker behind Park, is suspected of embezzling money from the foundations. She was placed under emergency arrest shortly before midnight Monday.
Without holding any official title, the 60-year-old daughter of a religious cult leader portrayed as Park's former anchor is suspected of exploiting her ties with the president to interfere in state affairs.
Corporate donations, voluntary or not, have long been a controversial issue in South Korea due to concern about collusive ties between businessmen and politicians.
Former president Chu Doo-hwan, who seized power through a coup in late 1979, was convicted of collecting billions of dollars from businessmen.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
