Most Popular
-
1
Hybe-Ador feud should have limited effect on Hybe's overall performance: analysts
-
2
First-ever meeting of president, opposition chief set to finally happen
-
3
Blinken calls on China to press N. Korea to end its 'dangerous' behavior
-
4
Experts raise concerns about Japan putting pressure on Naver over Line
-
5
South Korea to launch space security center under spy agency
-
6
More med professors to take day off each week while govt. urges them to stay
-
7
Hybe refutes Ador CEO Min's denial of breach of trust
-
8
S. Korea, Japan could consider simplified entry agreement: Seoul official
-
9
Legoland Korea Resort to open until 9 p.m.
-
10
[Weekender] How DDP emerged as an icon of Seoul
![[Weekender] How DDP emerged as an icon of Seoul](//res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/04/25/20240425050915_0.jpg&u=)
![[Weekender] How DDP emerged as an icon of Seoul](http://res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/04/25/20240425050915_0.jpg&u=)
A bodyguard for President Park Geun-hye appeared at the Constitutional Court Thursday to face questioning over an influence-peddling scandal involving Park and her friend.
Lee Young-sun, an employee of the presidential security service, was summoned to testify at the fourth hearing of Park's impeachment trial following revelations he ran errands for the friend, Choi Soon-sil.
He refused to answer most questions by the parliamentary impeachment panel, but admitted to regularly visiting a dressmaker's shop to pick up the president's clothes on behalf of Choi.
Choi is accused of abusing her ties to the president to extort money from conglomerates, meddle in state affairs and win personal favors. Park was impeached by the parliament on Dec. 9 on suspicion of colluding with Choi and neglecting her duty during a deadly ferry sinking in 2014.
Expressing frustration at Lee's refusal to testify, Justice Kang Il-won, the chief justice for the case, reminded him of his obligation to speak unless the question involves issues related to national security or national secrets.
Kang pointed out that questions regarding the number of times Choi visited the presidential office does not involve national security.
Lee also responded to questions about Park's whereabouts during the ferry disaster that left more than 300 people dead or missing.
Critics have long argued that more lives could have been saved had she responded properly in the early hours of the sinking. Park insists she received briefings and gave orders by phone from her office at her residence.
The court has until early June to decide whether to uphold or reject the impeachment motion. (Yonhap)
