Prosecutors arrest woman at center of crisis

Swirling scandal has sparked public anger and sends Park's approval rating to a record low

The woman at the center of a scandal that has plunged the Republic of Korea presidency into crisis was held for a second day of questioning by prosecutors on Tuesday after being detained overnight to answer allegations of exerting inappropriate influence over state affairs.

Prosecutors have said they are investigating whether Choi Soon-sil used her friendship with President Park Geun-hye to gain access to classified documents that enabled her to influence government matters and benefited personally through nonprofit foundations.