Choi Soon-sil

Prosecutors had demanded a seven-year jail term for Choi Soon-sil on charges of obstruction of business and links to the former president in order to force a university to give her daughter favours.

Park can be held in a cell for up to 20 days while she is investigated over allegations that she colluded with a friend to pressure big businesses to contribute to now-defunct foundations.

She is accused of colluding with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.

Hwang says past probes achieved a major goal of the independent counsel act as key suspects and relevant figures were already indicted or investigated enough to decide whether to indict.

Dozens of protesters surrounded by riot police met Lee, 48, who was wearing a dark coat and navy tie as he arrived at the Seoul Central District Court to attend the hearing.

Special prosecutors are investigating allegations that Park colluded with a friend and aides to pressure big companies to contribute to foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.

A court issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Chung Yoo-ra, the 20-year-old daughter of Choi Soon-sil, Park's long-time friend who is in custody and on trial for fraud and abuse of power.

Park apologised to the people for causing national turmoil because of her lack of virtue and carelessness at a time when the country's security and economy both are in troubles.

Investigators raided the homes of two former key aides to the embattled president on alleged involvement into Choi's influence peddling.

South Korean prosecutors raided the offices of Samsung Electronics on Tuesday as part of a probe over a political scandal involving President Park Geun-hye.

South Korea's embattled president on Friday apologized to the nation over a snowballing political crisis involving a secret aide.

Justice Minister Kim Hyun-Woong today warns that South Korean President Park Geun-Hye could face a probe.

The media has portrayed the 60-year-old Choi as a Rasputin-like figure, who wielded an unhealthy influence over Park and interfered in government policy despite holding no official post.

Choi Soon-sil returned to South Korea early on Sunday from Germany to cooperate with prosecutors.

Park's presidency has unravelled over shocking revelations that she discussed and sought advice on government policy from a close personal friend with no official position and no security clearance.

In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, "We're close" but "nothing is done until everything is done".

Chaebols are prominent figures from South Korea's family-owned conglomerates.

The implementation of the RON95 subsidy in 2025 is expected to provide savings of RM3.6 billion to government expenditure.

Dr Mohd Afzanizam says the market responded positively to news of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent heading the US Treasury Department.

Also among the highlights, UNICEF report on 12.3pct of teenagers in Klang Valley's PPR face mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.

Here are the resolution's main terms, and a note about subsequent violations and tensions.

So far this year there have been 281 aid worker victims, according to the Aid Worker Security database.

Here's how India counts farm fires - a major contributor to severe pollution in the north - and why its method is being questioned.

South Korea is hosting the fifth and ostensibly final UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting this week.

The Transport Ministry will review a proposal requiring senior citizens aged 65 and above to undergo competency and health assessments before renewing their Malaysian Driving Licence.