Court to decide whether to arrest ousted South Korean President Park

A Seoul court held a hearing to decide whether to issue an arrest warrant for former President Park Geun-hye over a string of corruption allegations that removed her from office

Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye arrives for questioning on her arrest warrant at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea
Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye arrives for questioning on her arrest warrant at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea

A South Korean court began deliberating on Thursday whether to arrest ousted President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office in a corruption scandal involving charges she solicited bribes from the country's largest conglomerate.

The 65-year-old at the Seoul Central District Court at around 10:20am local time (2:20am CET) to attend the review session. The result is likely to come out late at night or early the next morning.

She is accused of colluding with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.

Park, South Korea's first democratically elected leader to be forced from office, argues that she does not pose a flight risk and will not try to tamper with evidence.

She and Choi have both denied any wrongdoing.

A judge will study evidence and hear arguments from prosecutors and Park's lawyers before deciding whether an arrest warrant should be issued.

If Park is arrested, prosecutors will then have up to 20 days to file formal charges against her and put her on trial.

Prosecutors said on Monday Park was accused of soliciting companies for money and infringing upon the freedom of corporate management by using her power as the President. Park was questioned for 14 hours by prosecutors last week.

She could face more than 10 years in jail if convicted of receiving bribes from bosses of big conglomerates, including Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee, in return for favours.

Lee, who denies charges that he provided bribes in return for favours for Samsung, and Choi are already in detention and are on trial separately.