When the first scandal on influence peddling (the Chung Yun-hae scandal (Choi Soon-sil's ex-husband and ex-Presidential Secretary) broke, President Park stated through her spokesman that the rumors were groundless. Eventually, the people who reported the crimes were prosecuted and forced out of office.
When the Choi Soon-sil scandal broke out in April, President Park again stated that the rumors were figments of the imagination and completely false.
In President Park's first apology, after the laptop with classified presidential files was found, she said the foundations involved in the scandal were established after discussions and consensus with business groups and that the business groups made the donations voluntarily.
Under questioning by prosecutors, Lee Seung-chul (ex-vice chaiman of the Federatiojn of Korean Industries) said he was ordered by ex-Presidential aide Ahn Jong-bom to collect donations for the foundations. He had previously told the press that all such rumors were false and that it was his idea to collect donations.
In the same apology, President said that Choi Soon-sil only helped her with editing speeches and promotional materials during the beginning of her presidency until her aides were settled in.
In recordings and notes found during searches, it was revealed that President Park asked Choi Soon-sil's advice or approval on ministerial appointments, an intelligence job appointment, and other government agenda. There also was evidence that Choi Soon-sil asked the President to appoint acquaintances to several government posts and private sector posts.
Hankyoreh News: Even Pres. Park’s public apology was riddled with falsehoods
President Park has lied so many times that everyone in Korea knows, including her. My guess is that she realizes by now that they have enough evidence to put her away and is just trying to delay prison as long as possible.
On the news, they reported that almost all past Presidents raised money for various foundations they supported. However, they did not mention that none of those foundations raised donations in such a short time (most within 24 hours of establishment of the foundation). Also, none of the past Presidents were recorded giving orders on raising donations and other details. In addition, no one had tried to so blatantly embezzle money from the foundations.
