S. Korea president apologizes over scandal involving former aide

By Park Sae-jin Posted : October 25, 2016, 17:24 Updated : October 25, 2016, 18:07

[Yonhap News Photo]


South Korean President Park Geun-hye apologized over a scandal involving her former aide following revelations that presidential speeches had been leaked to the woman accused of having wielded a strong political influence. 

The apology came a day after broadcaster JTBC reported that Choi Soon-sil, one of Park's confidants, had received dozens of presidential speeches before they were delivered. Choi, 60, has been at the center of controversy before and after Park was elected as South Korea's first female president in early 2013. 

"Regardless of the reason, I feel sorry for causing national concern and hurting the hearts of the people," Park said in a televised speech. "I deeply apologize to the people."

Park admitted Choi had acted as a personal advisor, helping the president prepare for speeches during her presidential election campaign and for a while after she took office.

Choi, who is the daughter of Park's mentor and late pastor Choi Tae-min and the ex-wife of Park's former secretary Chung Yun-hoi, is suspected of exerting her influence in the creation and operation of two nonprofit foundations.

On Monday, Park made a sudden proposal for a constitutional revision aimed at revising the president's single five-year term saying South Korean leaders have been unable to pursue consistent, sustainable reforms or policy goals during their reign just for five years.

Opposition parties rejected Park's proposal as a political gambit aimed at diverting public attention from the scandal.

Choi is suspected of playing a role in suspicious fundraising by the K-Sports foundation. There have been allegations that conglomerates had been forced to chip in for the foundation while some of the money went to paper companies established by Choi.

Choo Mi-ae, head of the main opposition Democratic Party, said Tuesday's apology was not enough to resolve suspicions about Choi's role, accusing her of getting involved deeply in the appointment of government officials and political affairs.

Other opposition politicians called for an independent probe into relations between Choi and Park, discrediting an investigation by state prosecutors who have seized a tablet PC from JTBC . The computer, left in Choi's Seoul office, allegedly contained 44 speeches made by Park.

Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기