The prosecution arrested Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of President Park Geun-hye, without a warrant Monday night as Choi may destroy evidence, news reports said.

The legal action came hours after Choi appeared at the state prosecutors' office Monday to answer questions in regards to allegations of interfering in state affairs and peddling influence.

The prosecution will later request a formal arrest warrant against Choi, a 60-year-old long-time friend of President Park, according to the reports.

During the interogation, Choi reportedly denied charges that she wielded much power and influenced the government under the president's support.

On Sunday, she returned from Germany, where she had been residing for nearly two months, to face the probe into the snowballing scandal, which is touching off nationwide anti-government protests. (khnews@heralcorp.com)