The Park Geun-hye scandal has grown again to include a new figure, Jang Si-ho, who has been placed under custody for embezzlement. Earlier this month, Jang gained attention after she sought to sell her land in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, at a bargain price.

Jang, 37, has been identified as the niece of Choi Soon-sil, President Park’s civilian friend who meddled in state affairs. Jang is a daughter of Choi’s elder sister Soon-deuk, but little has been revealed about the latter.

Allegations against Jang include her pocketing some donations that Samsung Group made to government-related entities. There are also speculations that she was seeking to destroy evidence or flee by disposing of the land in Jeju, which was worth about 20 billion won ($17 million). She could also be implicated in the influence-peddling scandal.

Apart from these allegations, some past remarks by Jang -- whose former given name is Yoo-jin -- have confused citizens about her background. According to a lawmaker, Jang had reportedly called President Park “aunt” -- using a word that refers to her father’s sister instead of one that can be used for a close friend or a sister of her mother.

But this gossip distracts somewhat from the allegations against Jang, which are far more serious than those related to Choi Soon-sil’s daughter Chung Yoo-ra, who resides overseas.

Jang is suspected of coercing some business groups into offering funds to dubious foundations and garnering admission to a major university in Seoul, despite her terrible academic performance.

Regardless of any rumors surrounding her background, the prosecution has an obligation to investigate these corruption allegations.

The allegations include the idea that the Korea Winter Sports Elite Center was established for civilians like Choi and Jang to use for their private gains, while the nation was preparing for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

A number of former and incumbent government officials have already been interrogated at the prosecutors’ office over suspicions of giving illegitimate favors to the foundation, which was set up 1 1/2 years ago.

The nation, and especially its investigative agencies, need to be alert to attempts to ascribe the state fiasco and Park’s alleged responsibility in it entirely to Choi Soon-sil, who is also in custody. Earlier this week, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to summon 21 individuals as witnesses for the National Assembly’s investigation into the scandal. While the chosen witnesses will appear at parliamentary hearings in December, Jang and President Park were not included in the list.

In the meantime, it has been about a month since the Park-Choi scandal surfaced.

On top of a paralysis in administrative affairs, the National Assembly wasted precious time by engaging in conflicts about the nomination of a new prime minister, who would take on the role of acting president if Park steps down from her post.

Despite the bipartisan consensus on proposing an impeachment motion, some opposition party leaders are still arguing that a replacement for Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn should be named before an impeachment bill is passed.

Along with others, Park Jie-won of the third-biggest People’s Party claims that Hwang, who was appointed by President Park, is not eligible to serve as an acting president.

But the chances that Cheong Wa Dae would accept a candidate recommended by the parliamentary opposition are slim.

Further, following this logic, other ministers in the Cabinet who were appointed by Park, should also be kicked out before the president’s duties are suspended with a passage of the impeachment bill. Their demand is not logically consistent and does not coincide with the Constitution unless Park is really impeached with the support of the Constitutional Court.

Aside from the change of the prime minister not being urgently demanded by furious citizens, there are no scandal-related allegations against the incumbent prime minister.

Hwang is not important. His taking office for only several months until a presidential election is much better than Park holding onto her post.