S Korea’s ousted Prez held on graft charges

Seoul, March 30 

South Korea’s ousted President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first democratically elected leader to be thrown out of office,  was arrested today over the corruption and abuse of power scandal that brought her down, a court spokesman said.

The Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant to arrest Park on charges of bribery, abuse of authority, coercion, and leaking government secrets, after a marathon court hearing the previous day.  The judge said, “The cause and the need for the warrant are recognised as the main charges against her have been verified and as evidence could be destroyed.”

Park can be held in a cell for up to 20 days while she is investigated over allegations that she colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to contribute to now-defunct foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. — Agencies