Ousted S. Korean president Park faces trial

PanARMENIAN.Net - South Korea's ousted president Park Geun-Hye went on trial Tuesday, May 23 over the massive corruption scandal that led to her downfall, AFP reports.

A grim-faced Park, wearing a blue trouser suit, a badge with her prisoner number, and no make-up, walked into the courtroom at Seoul Central District Court, avoiding meeting the glance of her longtime secret confidante and co-accused Choi Soon-Sil.

The trial, expected to last for months, is the final act in the drama that engulfed Park, the daughter of a dictator who went on to be elected president herself before she was sacked by the country's top court in March.

Presiding judge Kim Se-Yun asked her: "What is your occupation, the accused Park Geun-Hye?"

She responded: "I don't have any occupation."

The fallen head of state was brought to the building in handcuffs, transported from a detention centre in a justice ministry bus, with at least six guards.

Park, 65, was impeached by parliament following revelations of her involvement in a massive graft scandal centred on Choi, her friend of 40 years, and implicating some of the country's top businessmen, including Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong.

Soon afterwards she was detained and indicted.

Choi, the daughter of a shadowy religious figure who was Park's mentor for years, is similarly accused of using her presidential ties to force top firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations which she then used for personal gain.

Park is also accused of letting Choi, who has no title or security clearance, handle a wide range of state affairs including senior nominations and even her daily wardrobe choices.