South Korea's former president Park Geun-hye denied corruption charges today at the start of a criminal trial that could see her sent to prison for life.
Park, 65, was in handcuffs as she was escorted by police into court for her first public appearance since she was arrested in March over allegations that led to her removal from office.
Cameras flashed as South Korea’s first female leader emerged from a prison bus, her inmate number, 503, attached to her blue jacket, and walked into Seoul central district court. Her hands were then freed and she entered the courtroom and sat before a three-judge panel.
When Judge Kim Se-yun asked Park what her occupation was, she replied: “I don’t have any occupation.”
Her alleged co-conspirator, Choi Soon-sil, sat nearby. The two women had been friends for four decades but did not acknowledge each other.
Choi, 60, sobbed as she answered questions about her address and occupation. Park stared straight ahead as prosecutors read out the charges.
“The accused Park Geun-hye, in collusion with her friend Choi Soon-sil, let Choi, who had no official position, intervene in state affairs ... and they abused power and pressured business companies to offer bribes, thus taking private gains,” said senior prosecutor Lee Won-seok.
Both Park and her lawyer, Yoo Young-ha, denied all wrongdoing. Asked whether she had anything to add, Park said: “I will say afterward.”
Choi reportedly said in court: “I am a sinner for forcing former president Park, who I have known and watched for 40 years, to appear in a courtroom.” Judge Kim said the court decided to combine Park’s and Choi’s cases, and set the next hearing for Thursday.
After the end of today’s hearing, Park was taken back to the detention centre near Seoul where she is being held.
She was arrested weeks after being removed from office by the Constitutional Court, which upheld her December impeachment by politicians after street protests over the corruption claims which emerged last October.
Prosecutors claim Park colluded with Choi to take about £20 million in bribes from Samsung.
New president Moon Jae-in took office this month after winning a special election to replace Park.
MORE ABOUT