(LEAD) Ruling party to punish Park over corruption scandal

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with decision to punish Park; CHANGES headline)

SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party said Monday it will punish President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal involving her and her confidante regardless of a separate investigation into the case.

The party's central ethics committee made the decision after reviewing a request for punishment, which was submitted last month by a group of Park dissenters within the party, and explanatory material submitted by Park on Sunday, committee chief Lee Jin-gon said.

Park faces allegations of involvement in a massive influence-peddling and nepotism scandal linked to her confidante Choi Soon-sil. On Friday, the parliament voted to impeach her, and the Constitutional Court has begun deliberations on whether to endorse the motion.

In the explanatory material, Park reportedly asked the party to defer a decision on her punishment while an independent counsel investigates the case and the Constitutional Court conducts its review, which can last up to 180 days.

The committee members, however, agreed that the judicial proceedings have no bearing on their decision, Lee said. The committee plans to meet again on Dec. 20 to decide on the scope of punishment.

Saenuri can expel Park or recommend that she leave the party. Park will automatically be expelled if she does not leave the party within 10 days after receiving a recommendation.
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