S. Korean special prosecutor team raids home of former presidential chief of staff

A South Korean special prosecutor's team on Monday raided the home of former presidential chief of staff, Kim Ki-choon, to find evidence on his suspected involvement in the political scandal surrounding impeached president Park Geun-hye.

Local media reports showed that the independent counsel team's investigators stormed the home of Kim Ki-choon, who served as chief secretary to President Park between August 2013 to February 2015, to secure computer hard disks, diaries and mobile phones, reports Xinhua.

The team's deputy spokesman Hong Jung-seok confirmed the reports.

Kim is seen as one of key suspects in unraveling the scandal involving President Park and her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, as he is one of the closest aides to the impeached president.

Under the Park's presidency, Kim is suspected of having deeply engaged in the highest-level, presidential decision-making process as Park's chief secretary, including the illegalities surrounding the scandal.

The special prosecutor team searched Kim's home on suspicion that he ordered the vice culture minister in October 2014 to fire six senior culture ministry officials, abusing his power.

Investigators also raided the residences and offices of the culture ministry officials, including Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun.