SEOUL • Denmark's public prosecutor has decided that Ms Chung Yoo Ra, the 20-year-old daughter of Choi Soon Sil, a friend of ousted South Korean President Park Geun Hye, "is to be extradited for the purpose of prosecution in her home country".
Choi is accused of colluding with the former president to pressure large South Korean businesses into contributing to non-profit foundations. Both Choi and Ms Park have denied wrongdoing.
"After having reviewed the South Korean request for extradition thoroughly, it is our opinion that all conditions for extradition in the Danish Extradition Act are met," Deputy Director Mohammad Ahsan from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said in a news statement yesterday.
Ms Chung now has three days to decide whether she will take the decision from the public prosecutor before the Danish courts. Her lawyer has said they intend to challenge the extradition in a Danish court.
Ms Chung was arrested by Danish police on Jan 1 after she was sought by the South Korean authorities. She has been accused of criminal interference related to her academic record.
The South Korean authorities have also been investigating whether Samsung Electronics channelled money to a German company controlled by Choi to sponsor Ms Chung's equestrian career in return for favours from Choi and Ms Park.
Ms Chung, who won a gold medal in group dressage at the 2014 Asian Games, has denied wrongdoing.
Lee Jae Yong, the head of Samsung Group, is on trial in South Korea on bribery, embezzlement and other charges. He has denied all charges.
South Korea's Constitutional Court dismissed Ms Park from office last week, upholding a parliamentary impeachment vote.
REUTERS