(LEAD) Court OKs controversial audio files as evidence in Park's impeachment trial

(ATTN: UPDATES with debut of Park's new lawyer in last 5 paras; RECASTS paras 1-2, 4; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Yonhap) -- The Constitutional Court on Tuesday accepted a set of audio files as evidence, which President Park Geun-hye's attorneys hope prove the ongoing scandal is a fabrication by a disgruntled aide to her confidante.

The files, which were submitted by state prosecutors to the impeachment trial last week, contain recordings of phone conversations by Ko Young-tae, a former associate of Park's close friend Choi Soon-sil.

In some, Ko appears to be plotting to take control of a nonprofit foundation for his personal gain. The foundation was allegedly established by Choi with the government's support to siphon off large "donations" from the country's major business groups.

Park's lawyers have claimed the recordings back up their argument that the president's impeachment was triggered by a conspiracy between Ko and his associates to get revenge on Choi after their attempts to take over the foundation failed.

The National Assembly impeachment panel countered that more of the files worked in their favor because Ko spoke in his phone conversations about Park's overreliance on Choi. It dismissed Ko's actions saying they have nothing to do with the grounds for the president's impeachment.

Park was impeached in December for allegedly letting Choi manipulate state affairs and colluding with her to extort money from conglomerates. The president was also accused of neglecting her duty to protect citizens' lives during a 2014 ferry disaster that killed more than 300.

The court, during the 13th hearing, accepted the panel's request to adopt the written records of 29 of the files as evidence, in response to Park's lawyers' demand that some 2,300 other audio files be reviewed and accepted as evidence, which would further delay the ruling.

The hearing also saw the debut of Park's new defense attorney Lee Dong-heub. The former Constitutional Court justice joined the president's legal defense team this week, bringing the number to 15.

In an oral argument, Lee focused on weakening the prosecution's claim that Park breached her duty to uphold the Constitution by committing "grave violations of the law." In particular he argued that the president's alleged bribe-taking from Samsung Group cannot be cited as a cause for her removal unless the crime is proven first.

Lee made an emotional appeal as well, saying the single, childless president dedicated herself to her country and the Korean people with nothing but patriotism.

"(We) should regard her with a bit more warmth," he said.

Park has refuted all charges and stressed she will prove her innocence in court. Speculation has grown recently over whether she will personally appear at her trial to make a public appeal.

hague@yna.co.kr
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