Former South Korean President Guilty of Abusing Power

Local Editor

Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was found guilty of abuse of power and coercion, in a court verdict being broadcast live.

Meanwhile, she is facing 18 corruption-related charges. The verdict is still being read out and the final sentence is expected to be delivered within hours.

It is the culmination of a scandal which rocked South Korea, fueling rage against political and business elites.

Park, who denies wrongdoing, faces up to 30 years in jail and hefty fines.
She was found to have colluded with a close friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure conglomerates for bribes in return for political favors.

Choi, who rose to power as an influential confidante of Park, was convicted of corruption in February, and their relationship has been the subject of intense public scrutiny.

Park didn't appear in court on Friday for the verdict. She boycotted her trial hearings and previously accused the courts of being biased against her.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team