Prosecutors formed a special investigation task force on Thursday to repatriate Choi Soon-sil, the confidante of President Park Geun-hye who allegedly meddled in key state affairs, for questioning.

The belated gesture came shortly after a local daily released an exclusive interview with Choi earlier in the morning in which she claimed to be unable to return home immediately, citing extreme mental distresses and physical illnesses.

It also came a day after key rival parties consented to forming an independent counsel, raising speculation that the reluctant prosecution’s sudden move was spurred on by the realization that it may have to hand over investigating rights.

But considering the investigators’ passive stance so far over the corruption allegations involving the president’s aides, observers have cast doubts on the efficacy of this new prosecution unit.

The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office said Thursday it established a special investigation task force to dig into the alleged interference in state affairs by Choi Soon-sil.

The key plan is to expand the conventional seven-member team which has focused on investigating the Mir Foundation and K-Sports Foundation, organizations suspected to have functioned as fundraising tools for Choi.

Also, the new team is to act independently from the SPO and only submit final reports to Prosecutor-General Kim Soo-nam, in order to prevent possible political pressure from above, officials said.

The initial goal is to have Choi repatriated. Her precise whereabouts have been unknown since she left for Germany in July on a supposed overseas equestrian training trip for her daughter.

“The ministry is taking all necessary measures to bring Choi back home,” said Justice Minister Kim Hyun-woong at the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee meeting.

“We have an obligation to keep information confidential in terms of judicial cooperation (with Germany), so we cannot provide all the details.”

Amid escalating public fury and reproach, Choi broke her long silence on Thursday through an exclusive interview with Segye Ilbo.

“I helped (President Park) around the 2012 presidential election on how to express her state of mind (in speeches) as I was close to her heart,” the interview quoted Choi as saying.

Though Choi admitted to reviewing some confidential documents, including presidential speeches, she firmly denied having any untoward intentions in doing so, mirroring Park who had earlier claimed to have consulted Choi “only with pure intention” to thoroughly review the content.

“I didn’t think it would be such a big problem, nor did I even know (the documents) were state secrets,” Choi told the reporter.

“I wasn’t trying to become a lawmaker or grab power in any way, but only meant to help out of good faith, but now I am so sorry to have caused trouble, especially for the president.”

Despite her apologies, however, Choi added she has no plan to return home, where she is certain to face additional questioning as well as the prosecutorial probe.

“I am currently experiencing a nervous breakdown, as well as cardiac trouble, (and am) thus unable to fly back immediately,” she said. “Once I recover, I shall ask for forgiveness and face the due punishment.”

Faced with Choi’s explicit refusal to return, Cheong Wa Dae also voiced a call to the fugitive presidential aide.

“The people are in great shock, and (Choi) should come back as soon as possible in order to clear up doubts,” presidential spokesperson Jung Youn-kuk told reporters.

This was the closest the Blue House has come to denouncing the disputed figure and consenting to her summoning since the scandal broke out.

Even when President Park stepped out to offer a rare apology to the nation Tuesday, she only admitted to her connection to Choi and bowed to the camera, without further calls for investigation.

By Bae Hyun-jung ()


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com