Presidential Investigation

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Prosecutors have decided to investigate President Park Geun-hye before indicting Choi Soon-sil, her friend who is at the center of a power abuse scandal. The prosecution is reviewing procedures on how to probe the president.

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[Soundbite] Pres. Park Geun-hye(Public Statement (Nov. 4)) : "I will respond sincerely to an investigationby prosecutors if necessary. I will also accept a probe by an independent counsel."

On Tuesday, four days after President Park Geun-hye said she is willing to undergo investigation by prosecutors, the prosecution disclosed its plans to question the president. Investigators are expected to probe the relationship between the president and Choi Soon-sil, her confidante who is at the center of an influence peddling scandal, before indicting Choi. Prosecutors are expected to indict Choi around November 19th before the period of her legal confinement expires. If this is the case, questioning of the president will likely take place in the latter part of next week. Prosecutors will also seek to confirm former presidential secretaryAhn Jong-beom's testimony that the president encouraged the establishment of and fundraising for the controversial Mi-R and K-Sports foundations. Based on former secretary Jeong Ho-seong's statement to the effect that he handed over presidential documents to Choi Soon-sil, prosecutors are also expected to look into whether this was by the president's order. An official at the prosecutors' office said that a conclusion on the logistics of how to question the president will also be made at the earliest possible time.