S.Korean prosecutors request face-to-face questioning of president by next week

South Korean prosecutors have requested a face-to-face questioning of President Park Geun-hye by next week after identifying the president as an accomplice to Choi Soon-sil, Park's longtime friend indicted for multiple crimes.

An official at the special investigate unit of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office told a press briefing that a notice was sent to the president's counsel to request Park's face-to-face interrogation as late as next Tuesday, according to local media reports.

Prosecutors had asked Park to be investigated as late as last Friday, but Park's attorney delayed it to this week.

After the prosecution office said on Sunday that Park had conspired with her decades-long friend in criminal acts, Park's lawyer said he would reject any request to question the president.

The team of special prosecutor, who will independently probe the case together with four deputy independent counsels and 20 dispatched prosecutors, is forecast to be launched early next month as the motion on the team was ratified by President Park.

The special prosecutor will take over the probe from the special investigative unit after the launch. Park's counsel said the president would be investigated by the special prosecutor.

Under the country's constitution, a president has immunity from criminal indictment until his or her single, five-year term ends. The president can be investigated if the criminal execution is suspended by the end of presidency. Park has about 15 months left in office. Endit