South Korea prosecutors seek arrest of former President

South Korean prosecutors have applied for an arrest warrant for former president Park Geun-hye, for her role in a corruption scandal

Park is South Korea's first democratically elected leader to be forced from office
Park is South Korea's first democratically elected leader to be forced from office

South Korean prosecutors sought an arrest warrant on Monday for ousted president Park Geun-Hye, they said, days after questioning her over the corruption and abuse of power scandal that brought her down.

Park, 65, had her removal from office confirmed by the country's top court earlier this month, ending her executive immunity.

The former President is accused of multiple offences including bribery, leaking government information, and abuse of power in the scandal.

"The accused abused her enormous power and status as president to receive bribes from companies or to infringe upon the rights to freedom of corporate management and leaked important confidential information on state affairs. These are grave issues," the prosecutors said in a statement.

"A large amount of evidence has been collected so far but the accused is denying most of the charges, and there is a risk of destroying evidence in the future," it said.

The scandal that toppled Park revolves around her secrete confidante, Choi Soon-sil, who she allegedly allowed to extort money from big firms.

Choi is already on trial for forcing top local firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain.

Park has denied the allegations.

Prosecutors said it would be "counter to the principle of fairness" if Park was not arrested. They argue that evidence like computer hard drives might be destroyed if Park is not arrested

If Seoul Central District Court approves the warrant, Park will become the third former leader to be arrested over corruption in Asia's fourth-largest economy, where politics and big business have long been closely tied.

Two former army-backed leaders who ruled in the 1980s and 1990s, Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo, both served jail terms for charges including bribery after they retired.