South Korea prosecutors confirm presidential confidante received state secrets

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- South Korean prosecutors say they have evidence a longtime confidante of President Park Geun-hye received draft documents from the president's office.

But the evidence makes it unlikely the suspect's enabler could be found in violation of the country's presidential record management act.

According to Seoul investigators a digital forensic analysis of a computer tablet that belongs to Choi Soon-sil has turned up more than 200 documents, local news network SBS reported on Tuesday.

With the exception of one or two documents, all other papers appear to be draft versions undergoing a review.

The records suggest Choi had received the president's speeches, details on secret meetings with North Korea, and information on Park's trips overseas, according to the report.

Prosecutors also said the president's private secretary Jeong Ho-seung had handled the transmission of documents through an informal channel as well as more official forms of communication.

An analysis of Jeong's mobile phone records indicate Choi left him voice mails to request documents, the investigation team said.

Jeong was arrested last Friday.

The findings may indicate a discrepancy between a presidential statement made on Oct. 25 and the evidence that is growing in the course of investigations.

In her first public apology Park had said Choi ceased to influence executive decisions after Park began her term as president.

Because documents are in draft form it is unlikely Jeong would be found in violation of the presidential record management act. The former official could instead be charged for leaking state secrets.

The scandal surrounding Park and Choi has cast a shadow of South Korea's North Korea policy, prompting Seoul's unification minister Hong Yong-pyo to defend his policies on Tuesday.

During an event held by the Korea Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, Hong said the Park administration "did its best" to improve inter-Korea relations.

"I ask of you to believe in the sincerity of that statement," Hong said, according to Yonhap.