Former President Park Geun-hye's final hearing is taking place as we speak,... but without Park's attendance, as expected. The trial must go on however, and now all eyes are on how many years the prosecutors will demand of the ousted former leader.
Given that her confidante Choi Soon-sil received 20 years earlier this month, pundits are expecting a heavy sentencing for Park.
Lee Jeong-yeon has the details.
Prosecutors are expected to demand a heavy sentencing for former President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday morning.
The first South Korean president to be ousted from office, Park was indicted last April on 18 charges including bribery and abuse of power.
She is accused of offering political favours to a number of the biggest South Korean conglomerates such as SK, Samsung, and Lotte.
Park is also accused of letting her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil meddle in state affairs even though Choi held no official post,... and they are both accused of coercing some 73 million US dollars out of businesses,... with the money being paid into two non-profit organizations Choi controlled.
Legal experts say a heavy sentencing is unavoidable at this point after her confidant Choi Soon-sil received a 20-year sentence from the Seoul Central District Court early this month, with 13 overlapping charges.
Choi received the heaviest sentence of those involved in the corruption scandal, but considering Park's previous post as South Korea's leader, experts are expecting a heavier sentencing of between 25 to 30 years.
Some pundits however are saying lifetime behind bars could be possible for Park, considering the gravity of the scandal that shocked the nation last year.
At the hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors will deliver their remarks over Park's sentencing, and her lawyers will deliver their final defense.
The court is expected to make its verdict late March or early April.

Lee Jeong-yeon, Arirang News