South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday sought a 30-year jail term for former President Park Geun-Hye who was ousted last year amid an influence-peddling scandal that rocked the country’s business and political elite. Park, 66, was dismissed in March after being impeached and is standing trial on charges of bribery, abuse of power and coercion. She denies wrongdoing.
The prosecution’s recommendation came two weeks after Choi Soon-sil, a longtime friend of Park who was at the center of the scandal, was jailed for 20 years for taking bribes from “chaebol”, or conglomerates, including electronics powerhouse Samsung and retail giant Lotte.
“We ask the court to hand down 30 years in prison and (a fine of) 118.5 billion won (US$110 million) for the accused, who must take the ultimate responsibility for the scandal as the 18th president of this country,” prosecutors said in a statement read out in court.
Prosecutors asserted that Park, in collusion with her secret confidante and long-time friend Choi Soon-sil, took or was promised bribes totalling 59.2 billion won (US$52 million) from three South Korean companies, Samsung, Lotte and SK, in return for policy favours.
Park also been charged with coercing 18 large firms to “donate” a total of 77.4 billion won to two dubious foundations controlled by Choi.
The Seoul Central District Court earlier this month found Choi guilty of abuse of power, bribery and interfering in government business, sentencing her to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors are also seeking a 118.5 billion won ($127.1 million) fine.
A lawyer representing Park said he was requesting clemency as Park had tried her hardest “day and night” as president, according to the News1 agency.
Park’s trial began in May and a verdict is expected before April.
