One month ago today, a local TV station released a bombshell report that shed light on the veiled relationship between President Park Geun-hye and her confidante Choi Soon-sil.

Since then, the entire nation has been gripped by a barrage of shocking revelations and allegations that revealed a network of corruption involving Park, Choi, her daughter Chung Yoo-ra, former presidential aides, government officials and a once-prominent TV commercial director.

The scandal effectively unearthed how those involved had abused power for personal gains. The prosecution is currently searching for proof that the hundreds of billions of won pumped into Choi-related organizations were essentially bribes for Park’s inner circles.

Park, under siege on all fronts, is preparing for the ultimate battle to keep her office -- the impeachment trial.

Below, The Korea Herald takes a look at the events of the past month that have led to the current situation. 
Oct. 24

JTBC reveals what appears to be Choi’s tablet PC, containing confidential presidential documents

Oct. 25

Park admits to receiving help from Choi on writing public addresses, and apologizes 

Oct. 27

Prosecution establishes a special investigative team to look into the Choi scandal

Oct. 30

Choi returns to South Korea from England

Oct. 31

Choi appears before prosecutors for questioning, denies charges

Nov. 2

Park appoints Kim Byong-joon, a former policy adviser to the liberal former President Roh Moo-hyun, as prime minister

Nov. 3

Choi is arrested/ Park names former opposition politician Han Kwang-ok as her chief of staff

Nov. 4

Park apologizes for the second time and vows to cooperate with the investigation while her approval rating falls to a record-low of 5 percent 

Nov. 6

Former presidential secretaries An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong are arrested

Nov. 8

Park visits National Assembly and asks the legislature to field a prime minister candidate

Nov. 12

Choi’s associate Cha Eun-taek, a TV commercial director, is arrested for allegedly using his relationship with Choi to win contracts while attempting to take over an advertisement company 

Nov.12-13

The prosecution questions the heads of the nation’s seven biggest companies -- Samsung, Hyundai Motor, Hanwha, CJ, LG, SK and Hanjin

Nov. 15

Park hires a lawyer. The lawyer rejects the prosecution’s request for a face-to-face interview with Park, requesting more time

Nov. 18

A special investigation by the Education Ministry finds that Chung Yoo-ra, Choi’s daughter, was illegally admitted to Ewha Woman’s University 

Nov. 19

An estimated 1 million citizens attend a rally in Seoul, demanding Park’s resignation

Nov. 20

Prosecution indicts Choi and two former presidential secretaries An and Jeong for their involvement in the scandal, and says Park was an accomplice to their crimes   

Nov. 21

Three opposition parties agree on a joint campaign to impeach Park

Nov. 22

Park endorses the parliamentary bill for an independent counsel-led investigation into herself and Choi

By Yoon Min-shik