Choi Soon-sil, a long-time friend of President Park Geun-hye arrives for her first court hearing in Seoul, yesterday.
Seoul: A friend of South Korean President Park Geun-hye at the centre of a corruption scandal that led to Park's impeachment in parliament denied charges of fraud and abuse of power yesterday on the first day of her trial.
The friend, Choi Soon-sil, 60, was led into court by two correctional officers, her head down, wearing a bulky grey prison suit with a number on her chest.
In a brief hearing, Choi denied all charges brought against her by prosecutors. Her lawyer argued that Choi did not collude with Park or other defendants in the case, and also denied the fraud charge.
"I need to clarify the facts now," Choi was quoted.
Choi spoke so softly and she was barely audible in her brief comments.
South Koreans have been keen to get a glimpse of the woman at the centre of the political storm and members of the public were allocated seats in court's gallery by lottery.
Choi's lead lawyer, Lee Kyung-jae, rejected the charge that she colluded with Park and one of the former aides to the president, An Chong-bum, to exert pressure on various "chaebol" conglomerates.
The next hearing is set for December 29.
