President 'colluded with friend'

Prosecutor says Samsung chief sought to bribe Park over merger

SEOUL - Republic of Korea's President Park Geun-hye colluded with a friend to take bribes from Samsung aimed at cementing Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong's control of the conglomerate, the special prosecutor's office said on Monday, paving the way for Park to be prosecuted if removed from office.

The findings of the 70-day probe directly accuse the impeached Park of wrongdoing on several charges, including the bribery conspiracy implicating Samsung.