The daughter of South Korea’s «Rasputin, » whose lavish lifestyle in Europe saw her caught up in the country’s snowballing influence-peddling scandal, was f
SEOUL – The daughter of South Korea’s “Rasputin, ” whose lavish lifestyle in Europe saw her caught up in the country’s snowballing influence-peddling scandal, was freed Saturday after being extradited from Denmark.
Chung Yoo-ra is the equestrian daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the close confidante of impeached ex-president Park Geun-hye and the woman at the heart of the scandal which toppled Park.
Choi — dubbed “the female Rasputin” for her strong influence over Park — is on trial along with the ex-president.
Chung was arrested on a Korean Air flight from Amsterdam early Wednesday and was escorted off the plane at Incheon by a team of prosecutors to face a handful of journalists and television cameras.
Prosecutors say cash for Chung’s equestrian training came from electronics giant Samsung, which had handed over the money as part of an attempt to curry favour with her powerful mother.
However, a Seoul court ordered her released Saturday.
“It is difficult to accept the reason and the need for her arrest, ” the Seoul Central District Court said, turning down the prosecution’s request to formally arrest the 21-year-old.
