Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye arrested over bribery scandal

Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s former Leader
(Image credit: South Korean Presidential Blue House via Getty Images)

South Korea's ousted President Park Geun-hye was arrested in Seoul early Friday morning. Park, who was impeached and formally removed from office earlier this month over a corruption scandal, is facing charges "including bribery, extortion, and abuse of power," The New York Times reported. A South Korean court had approved Park's arrest after a hearing called on Thursday, and warned that if she was not quickly taken into custody she may "destroy evidence."

Park's ouster and subsequent arrest stemmed from a bribery scandal with her childhood friend, Choi Soon-sil, to extort millions of dollars in bribes from big businesses, including Samsung.

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Prosecutors will seek a formal indictment within the next 20 days.

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