20‑Year Jail Time for South Korea’s “White‑Hair Whisperer” Choi Soon‑sil
In a dramatic twist that read like a political thriller, Choi Soon‑sil—the so‑called “secret confidante” of former President Park Geun‑hye—was handed a 20‑year prison sentence after a courtroom showdown. The verdict came from the Seoul Central District Court, plenty of courtroom drama included.
What Went Down
The judge, Kim Se‑yoon, delivered the punch‑line: “The accused is sentenced to 20 years in prison.” She’s been accused of abusing power, bribery, and, by the way, meddling in state affairs like a political gate‑keeper with a no‑probation ringer.
Choi’s “long private ties” with Park were the heart of the affair. In short, she used their relationship to pull companies into a financial vortex that benefitted the foundations she ran.
- Samsung — The Korean telecom titan channeled 14 billion won ($13 million) into her foundation.
- Lotte — The retail conglomerate also threw in some cash to help keep the political machine humming.
The Verdict
Judge Kim was unforgiving: “The guilt of the accused is heavy,” and noted that Choi showed no repentance. She was hit with a hefty 20‑year term, a sentence that will keep her locked up longer than many lifespans.
Other Players Handed In
- Lotte’s chairman — got a 2½‑year sentence.
- Ahn Jong‑beom — a former Park aide, got 6 years behind bars.
All in all, it’s a classic case of “touchy‑feely corruption” turned into concrete legal consequences. The South Korean legal system has shaken off the drama and chalked it up to a hard lesson in governance.
