South Korea opposition party leader says Park's apology insincere

Record ID: 80207

  • Title: South Korea opposition party leader says Park's apology insincere
  • Date: 4th November 2016
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (RECENT - NOVEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SOUTH KOREAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FLAG OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
  • Embargoed: 19th November 2016 05:09
  • Keywords: South Korea opposition politics Park Geun-hye Choi
  • Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00257139L1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: South Korea's main opposition party leader said on Friday (November 4) President Park Geun-hye's apology in an influence peddling scandal lacked sincerity and that her sole aim was to hold onto power.
    President Park said in a tearful apology on Friday that her "heart was breaking" over a political scandal that has engulfed her administration and said she will cooperate with prosecutors in their investigation.
    "(The speech by South Korean President Park Geun-hye) was just a speech of self-reflection that lacked sincerity," said Choo Mi-ae, leader of Democratic Party of Korea, in a televised announcement after Park delivered a speech to nation.
    "(South Korean President Park Geun-hye) should withdraw the unilateral nomination of prime minister which aims to maintain her power, remove her hands from state affairs and accept a prime minister recommended by the parliament," Choo added.
    On Wednesday (November 2), Park replaced her prime minister and finance minister, a reshuffle denounced by political opponents as a bid to divert attention from a crisis.
    Choo also urged President Park to accept a separate investigation by a special prosecutors' team requested by the opposition party and the parliamentary investigation.
    "If the demand is not met, the party, people and I will raise a movement for resignation," Choo added.
    The scandal has sent Park's approval rating to an all-time low of just 5 percent, a 12 percentage point drop from last week, the lowest since such polling began in 1988, according to a Gallup poll released on Friday.
    Park's long-time friend, Choi Soon-sil, 60, is alleged to have used her closeness to the president to meddle in state affairs, and her lawyer has said he expects prosecutors to look into whether she inappropriately received classified documents and benefited unlawfully from two non-profit organisations.
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