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| Samsung raided in political corruption probe | Samsung raided in political corruption probe |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| South Korean prosecutors have raided the offices of Samsung Electronics as part of a probe into the political scandal around President Park Geun-hye. | South Korean prosecutors have raided the offices of Samsung Electronics as part of a probe into the political scandal around President Park Geun-hye. |
| The prosecutors are investigating allegations that Samsung gave money to the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of the president. | The prosecutors are investigating allegations that Samsung gave money to the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of the president. |
| Ms Choi is accused of using their friendship to interfere in politics and solicit business donations. | Ms Choi is accused of using their friendship to interfere in politics and solicit business donations. |
| Samsung confirmed the raids to the BBC saying they had "no further comment". | Samsung confirmed the raids to the BBC saying they had "no further comment". |
| President Park has apologised for her ties to Ms Choi but faces mounting calls to resign. | |
| In this latest twist of the scandal that's been rocking South Korea for weeks, prosecutors are investigating allegations that Samsung might have provided €2.8m euros ($3.1m, £2.5m) to a company co-owned by Ms Choi and her daughter, to bankroll the daughter's equestrian training in Germany. | In this latest twist of the scandal that's been rocking South Korea for weeks, prosecutors are investigating allegations that Samsung might have provided €2.8m euros ($3.1m, £2.5m) to a company co-owned by Ms Choi and her daughter, to bankroll the daughter's equestrian training in Germany. |
| Prosecutors are also reported to have raided the offices of the Korea Equestrian Federation and the Korea Horse Affairs Association. | Prosecutors are also reported to have raided the offices of the Korea Equestrian Federation and the Korea Horse Affairs Association. |
| Ms Choi was arrested on 3 November and charged with fraud and abuse of power. | Ms Choi was arrested on 3 November and charged with fraud and abuse of power. |
| Over the past days, tens of thousands of South Koreans have protested in the capital, Seoul, to demand the resignation of President Park over the corruption row. | Over the past days, tens of thousands of South Koreans have protested in the capital, Seoul, to demand the resignation of President Park over the corruption row. |
| Ms Choi, a long-time friend of Ms Park's, is the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a shadowy quasi-religious leader who was closely linked to Ms Park's father, then-president Park Chung-hee. | Ms Choi, a long-time friend of Ms Park's, is the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a shadowy quasi-religious leader who was closely linked to Ms Park's father, then-president Park Chung-hee. |
| She is alleged to have pushed businesses to donate millions of dollars to foundations she controlled, helped choose presidential aides, and even picked the president's clothes. | She is alleged to have pushed businesses to donate millions of dollars to foundations she controlled, helped choose presidential aides, and even picked the president's clothes. |
| Ms Park has since apologised on TV for allowing her long-standing friend inappropriate access to government policy-making. The president admitted she had let Ms Choi edit her speeches. | Ms Park has since apologised on TV for allowing her long-standing friend inappropriate access to government policy-making. The president admitted she had let Ms Choi edit her speeches. |
| President Park has already replaced her prime minster, reshuffled her cabinet and dismissed several aides, but there are growing calls for her resignation or impeachment. | President Park has already replaced her prime minster, reshuffled her cabinet and dismissed several aides, but there are growing calls for her resignation or impeachment. |
| The scandal has left Ms Park with an approval rating of just 5%. | The scandal has left Ms Park with an approval rating of just 5%. |
| Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said she did not believe the apology was genuine and called on her to accept a new prime minister recommended by parliament. | Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said she did not believe the apology was genuine and called on her to accept a new prime minister recommended by parliament. |
| Ms Park became her country's first female president when she was elected in a close-run contest in December 2012. | Ms Park became her country's first female president when she was elected in a close-run contest in December 2012. |