(LEAD) Court again rejects warrant for daughter of ex-leader's friend
(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 8-9)
SEOUL, June 20 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court again refused to issue an arrest warrant on Tuesday for the daughter of former President Park Geun-hye's friend in connection with a massive corruption scandal.
The Seoul Central District Court explained that it failed to recognize the need to detain Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, citing her level of involvement in the case, her defense against an arrest and her current residential status.
The same court had refused the prosecution's earlier request on June 3, when prosecutors accused her of obstruction of business. They added the charge of concealment of criminal proceeds this time.
Chung was extradited from Denmark late last month. She fled to Denmark from Germany in September last year, when the scandal broke, and was detained in January at the request of the Korean prosecution.
The 21-year-old stands accused of receiving undue academic favors from Ewha Womans University based on her mother's ties with the former president.
The former equestrian athlete faces a new charge of colluding with her mother in hiding illegal money, worth some 7.8 billion won (US$6.86 million), which they received from Samsung. Prosecutors said the replacement of her horses by the nation's largest business group is part of the scheme to conceal the funding.
Her jailed mother and Park are standing trial on charges of colluding to force large firms to "donate" money to two foundations allegedly controlled by Choi. Chung has denied any wrongdoing.
That her mother is in jail and that she is caring for her two-year-old son may have also acted in her favor.
"I have no reason to run. My son is here (from Denmark) too. I have no intention of fleeing," Chung told reporters earlier upon arriving at the cout for the arrest warrant review.
The prosecution said Tuesday it had secured evidence that Chung frequently spoke with Park on the phone when she was in office. It contrasts with her statement that she had no knowledge of what went on between her mother and the former president, the prosecution added.
The prosecution has argued that Chung holds the key to substantiating her mother's charges and that she was actively involved in the crime.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
S. Korea supports resolution backing U.N. membership of Palestine
-
Chinese man behind drug scam targeting teens nabbed in Cambodia
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
U.S. will take steps for three-way engagement on nuclear deterrence with S. Korea, Japan: Campbell
-
(LEAD) Hybe to file complaint against sublabel executives over internal conflict
-
S. Korea reports highest suicide rate, ultra fine dust level among OECD nations: data
-
U.S. sent ATACMS missiles to Ukraine following Russia's use of N.K. missiles: White House
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis