Lawmakers seek to question S. Korea's detained 'Rasputin'

[nitpicker]

http://www.france24.com/en/20161226-lawmakers-seek-question-koreas-detained-rasputin

26 December 2016 - 02H39
Lawmakers seek to question S. Korea's detained 'Rasputin'

SEOUL (AFP) -
South Korean lawmakers sought Monday to question the woman at the heart of a corruption scandal that triggered the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye, as special prosecutors raided the home of a former top presidential aide. A team of prosecutors seized a number of documents during an early morning swoop on the central Seoul residence of Kim Ki-Choon, who served as Park's chief of staff between 2013-15, the Yonhap news agency reported.

The raid was part of an ongoing probe into a huge corruption scandal, focused on Park's long-time friend Choi Soon-Sil -- currently on trial for extortion and abuse of power.As part of their brief, the special prosecutors are investigating the extent of the president's alleged collusion with Choi in shaking down a number of major conglomerates to provide "donations" to two foundations she controlled.

The National Assembly voted to impeach Park earlier this month, stripping away her substantial executive powers. She remains president in name, pending a decision by the Constitutional Court on whether to ratify parliament's impeachment motion.
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Park allegedly leaked confidential documents to her friend, and allowed her to meddle in state affairs -- including the appointments of senior officials. A separate parliamentary probe into the scandal made a fresh effort Monday to question Choi, with lawmakers setting up a special hearing in the detention centre where she is being held.
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