Thousands of South Koreans rally in Seoul, calling for embattled president to go

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Thousands of South Koreans rally in Seoul, calling for embattled president to go

 

 

Tens of thousands of South Koreans have joined a candle-lit rally in Seoul, calling on the country’s embattled president to go.

 

Park Geun-hye has been rocked by a scandal involving an old friend, who’s alleged to have used her closeness to meddle in state affairs.

 

The president’s made a tearful apology, saying her “heart was breaking” – and has pledged to cooperate with prosecutors in their investigation.

 

“There is even talk that I fell into a cult or I held a shamanistic ritual at the Blue House. I am saying clearly: none of this is true,” she said.

 

The lawyer for Park’s long-time friend, Choi Soon-sil, says he expects prosecutors to probe whether she inappropriately received classified documents – and benefitted unlawfully from two non-profit organisations.

 

Koreans are angry, claiming Park has betrayed public trust and mismanaged her government.

 

Park has sacked many of her immediate advisers over the crisis. A former aide was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of leaking classified information, according to a prosecution official.

 

No South Korean president has ever failed to finish their five-year term, but Park has faced growing pressure from the public and political opponents to quit.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-11-06