Choi Soon-sil apologizes on Monday before entering Supreme Prosecutors' Office.[Yonhap Photo]
The woman, who has been vilified for using her ties with South Korean President Park Geun-hye to meddle in state affairs, made a tearful apology Monday as she arrived in the office of prosecutors for questioning.
"I beg your forgiveness, people. I am sorry," Choi Soon-sil covering her face with a dark navy blue bonnie hat, a scarf and sunglasses said after she walked through a crowd of more than 100 journalists standing at the gate of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul.
Hundreds of journalists surround Choi Soon-sil in Supreme Prosecutors' Office on Monday. [Yonhap Photo]
From a back row, a roar of angry shouts burst out from a dozen protestors who shouted "Down with (President) Park Geun-hye" and hurled curses and condemnation at Choi. Their placards called for her immediate arrest.
"I have committed a serious sin, only punishable by death," she added in the front lobby before an elevator whisked her away.
At one point, she stumbled to the ground after being pushed by journalists and burst into tears, covering the mouth with her right hand, but she struggled to get back up on her feet.
Aju News Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
