South Korea’s special prosecutor team investigating a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye said Sunday it was considering whether to raid the presidential offices and if it did so, it had no choice but to do so publicly.
Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.
“In case of raiding the Blue House ... to carry out that, there is no choice but to make it public,” Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the special prosecutor’s team told reporters in a briefing, referring to the presidential offices. “We are still considering whether the raid is needed and if needed what the raid should be aimed at.”
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye shout slogans during a rally opposing her impeachment in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 24, 2016.
Park, whose father ruled the country for 18 years after seizing power in a 1961 coup, was indicted in a December 9 parliamentary vote.
She has denied wrongdoing but apologized for carelessness in her ties with Choi, who is facing her own trial.
Prosecutors have said previously they needed access to the presidential offices as part of their investigation. The office has denied access.
Park has immunity from prosecution as long as she is in office even though her powers have been suspended since parliament voted to impeach her.
People wearing Santa Claus costumes shout during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 24, 2016.
A large crowd of protesters, including about 200 young people dressed as Santa Claus, took to the streets of central Seoul Saturday for the ninth weekend in a row to demand the immediate resignation of the president.