South Korean president accused of complicity in corruption

[G.O.G]

South Korea's President Park Geun-hye was quoted by the prosecution as an accomplice to a rumored case of corruption and influence peddling that has sparked strong indignation in the country, EFE news agency reported.

The proclamation of prosecutors, who can not bring criminal charges against the president because of the immunity granted her, is that while protests have called for the resignation of the president, whose five-year term expires in February 2018 .

After a preliminary investigation, prosecutors charged that Park collaborated with her close friend Choi Soon-sil and two other ex-collaborators in lobbying local companies to donate money.

"The president played a collusive role in a considerable part of the criminal activities involving the three people," said Roh Seung-kwon, a prosecutor in charge of the case, according to Yonhap news agency.

The prosecution has formally accused Choi Soon-sil, the friend of the president who has been in prison since the beginning of the month, for abuse of authority, coercion and attempted fraud, among other crimes.

Choi Soon-sil, despite not holding any public office, allegedly modified Park's speeches, intervened in a hidden way in state affairs, and illegally raised funds using his influence.

The 60-year-old suspect is believed to have pressured more than 50 companies to donate a total of $ 65.7 million (62 million euros) to two foundations she allegedly controlled.