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S Korea seeks extradition of Park friend’s daughter

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SEOUL: South Korean authorities said on Tuesday they will proceed with steps to extradite Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of a central figure in a South Korean political scandal that has led to a parliamentary vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye.


Chung is being held in Denmark after police there arrested her on Sunday in the northern city of Aalborg. Denmark’s public prosecutor said on Tuesday it was still awaiting a formal request from Seoul to extradite Chung and that it would take up to 30 days to address the issue.


Chung will remain in custody for four weeks after having been charged with committing economic crime in South Korea, the prosecutor said Monday.


Chung is the 20-year-old daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a long-time friend of Park accused of colluding with the president to pressure businesses to contribute to non-profit organisations. Both have denied wrongdoing. Choi is in detention as she undergoes trial in Seoul.


“Chung has said she is willing to return to South Korea in three days if she is set free upon entry, which the government has declined to accept,” South Korea’s special prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.


It added there was a chance Chung, an equestrian competitor who trained in Germany, may choose to return to South Korea voluntarily.


PARK SKIPS HEARING


Meanwhile in Seoul, South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday held its first full hearing on whether to confirm the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye but she stayed away from the session. The hearing, which followed three preparatory court sessions last month, lasted only nine minutes before being wrapped up. The court last week ruled that Park was not required to appear for questioning.


“We will do our best to conduct a fair and through review of the case,” said Park Han-Chul, the top justice who led a nine-member panel reviewing the case.


Regardless of whether Park shows up when the hearing resumes Thursday, the case will proceed.  — Agencies


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