The Seoul District Court on Thursday night issued a warrant to formally arrest Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the center of the political scandal that has consumed South Korea.

Court issues warrant to formally arrest Choi Soon-sil

The court said the arrest is necessary for a thorough probe into the case. President Park Geun-hye's confidante Choi has been under custody since late Monday after questioning by prosecutors.

The 60-year-old Choi is suspected of meddling in various government decisions, including the editing of one of Park's most important speeches made in 2014. She is also accused of coercing local firms to donate money to dubious non-profit foundations that she then used for personal gain.

The ongoing probe also targets some firms -- including Samsung and SK.