S Korea graft scandal: key figure gets 20 years

SEOUL: Choi Soon Sil, the key figure in a corruption scandal which brought down former South Korean president Park Geun Hye, has been jailed for 20 years, according to the Yonhap news agency.

The Seoul District Court handed down the verdict yesterday, after Choi was convicted of bribery, abuse of power and coercion.

Choi was accused of exploiting her friendship with Park and businesses, such as Samsung, to give money to two non-profit foundations she controlled, the Yonhap news outlet reported.

The court also ordered her to pay an 18-billion-won (R203 million) fine.

Choi, the daughter of a cult leader, played a central role in the dramatic downfall of Park, who is also on trial on charges including corruption, abuse of power and bribery.