Aides to Korean 'Rasputin' testify to her power

Seoul

FRIENDS and associates of the woman at the heart of a corruption scandal engulfing South Korean President Park Geun-hye told a hearing on Wednesday that her influence extended to everything from Ms Park's wardrobe to senior appointments.

The impeachment-threatened Ms Park has been accused of letting long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil meddle in a wide range of state affairs, and of ordering aides to leak confidential documents to Choi, who has no official title or security clearance.

The president is also suspected of colluding with Choi in strong-arming major conglomerates into donating funds to two dubious foundations Choi co…