Prosecutors just announced the indictments against Ahn Jong-bom (ex-Presidential Aide), Jeong Ho-song (ex-Presidential Aide), and Choi Soon-sil.
In the indictments, President Park was named as a conspirator for being significantly involved in the crimes. The most serious charge of bribery over 100 million won (about $90,000) which can carry a punishment of up to life imprisonment was not listed in the indictment. Prosecutors are saying that this is still being investigated.
Although the President cannot be indicted while in office, the Prosecutors state that they will still carry on investigations into the President. It is said that to name the President in the indictment means that the Prosecutors have a pretty good case.
It is alleged that President Park ordered the amount raised for a foundation from 30 billion won to 50 billion won (about $45 million), that President Park introduced Choi Soon-sil to government and foundation officials, and that business groups donated or gave money because they feared retaliation. Other crimes listed are abuse of power, fraud, unauthorized disclosure of classified information, and coercion. The Prosecutors state they already have enough evidence to prove the indictments and that further charges may be brought.
This is just the start of the telling of the truth. We will all find out a lot more in the coming months.
Will she resign before the shit hits the fan?
If Korean JTBC News didn't find the laptop with presidential speeches and other document files on it, which led to the search warrants that found the burner phones with recordings and chats, in addition to notebooks with memos about orders from President Park and Choi Soon-sil, then two-faced President Park would still be hiding behind the law.
The Prosecutors just announced that President Park asked business group chairmen for favors during her one-to-one meetings with them. President Park is famous for not having one-to-one meetings with any of her ministers (not even one) for discussions of policy or anything. Yet, she met business group chairmen in one-on-one meetings.
In her meeting with Lotte, President Park asked Lotte to donate another 7 billion won ($6.4 million).
In her meeting with Hyundai Motors, she asked the chairman to give 1.1 billion won worth of orders to KD Corporation and 6.2 billion won in advertising to Playground Advertising.
In her meeting with KT (Korea Telecom), she asked that a person be named director in charge of marketing. This director gave KT advertising contract to two companies with connections to Choi Soon-sil and Cha Eun-taek.
There were seven chairmen, who had one-on-one meetings with President Park, so there will be more releases from the prosecutors office in the coming weeks.
New York Times: S. Korean Prosecutors Say Park Conspired With Her Friend
Korea Herald: Presidential office expresses regret over investigation result
BBC: S. Korea president Park Geun-hye 'had role' in scandal
AP: S. Korean prosecutors say Park conspired with her friend
Korea Times: 'President Park criminal suspect,' says prosecution
