The daughter of a key figure in South Korea’s influence-peddling scandal has been arrested in Denmark, Yonhap News agency reported on Monday.
Law enforcement authorities in Denmark notified South Korea that Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of President Park Geun-hye’s close confidante Choi Soon-sil, was arrested in the northern Danish city of Aalborg on Sunday night, on charges of "illegal stay," according to the report.
South Korea's Chung Yoo-ra, then known as Chung Yoo-yeon, bites her gold medal as she poses after winning the equestrian Dressage Team competition at the Dream Park Equestrian Venue during the 17th Asian Games in Incheon September 20, 2014. /CFP Photo
Chung is alleged to have obtained special treatment at Seoul’s Ewha Womans University through her mother’s close relationship with President Park, Yonhap said.
On Monday evening, South Korean police filed an extradition request to Danish authorities for the 20-year-old, it added.
South Korea’s foreign ministry also declared Chung’s passport invalid, in a bid to have her repatriated as soon as possible, the report went on.
Park Geun-hye speaks during a meeting with reporters at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, on January 1, 2017. /CFP Photo
JoongAng Daily said Danish authorities arrested Chung along with three or more people, including a child suspected to be her son.
Special prosecutors investigating the ongoing scandal surrounding Park and Choi asked Interpol last week to add Chung to its list of wanted fugitives as she had not responded to repeated summons for questioning.
Protesters attend a candle-lit rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-Hye's immediate departure from her office, in downtown Seoul on December 31, 2016. /CFP Photo
A former member of the national equestrian team, Chung has also been implicated in a corruption scandal involving the Korea Equestrian Federation and Samsung Electronics. Samsung pledged 22 billion won (18.2 million USD) for Chung’s equestrian training.
On Sunday impeached President Park denied the allegations against her over the corruption scandal involving Choi and Samsung’s affiliates.
Park's presidency is now in the hands of Constitutional Court judges who are reviewing her impeachment case, in a process that could last up to 180 days.
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