Choi Soon-sil, accused of interfering in state affairs using her relationship with President Park Geun-hye, arrived at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office building in Seoul on Monday to face questioning over her alleged influence peddling. 

Choi Soon-sil (Yonhap)

Choi, a longtime confidante and shaman-like adviser to Park, had returned to Seoul on Sunday from Europe, capping a week of turmoil that led to a massive anti-government rally over the weekend.

Choi, a private citizen with no position in making policy, will be investigated over allegations of taking advantage of her political ties with President Park and coercing conglomerates to donate money to two foundations she controls.

She is also accused of seeking academic favors from professors at Ewha Womans University for her daughter Chung Yoo-ra.

By Bak Se-hwan (sh@heraldcorp.com)