South Korean opposition parties agreed Wednesday to take a full swing in their joint attack on President Park Geun-hye, rejecting her political overture to nominate a new prime minister recommended by parliament.
The leaders of the country's three opposition groups agreed to lead an anti-government rally Saturday in Seoul while pushing for a parliamentary probe into a scandal involving Park's longtime friend accused of meddling in state affairs and wresting money from businessmen.
"The opposition parties will support the people's will at the Saturday's rally. It will become an important event," said Youn Kwan-suk, spokesman for the main opposition Democratic Party.
Park made a surprise political gesture Tuesday suggesting she would appoint a prime minister recommended through consultations between the ruling and opposition parties.
Opposition parties turned down Park's offer, urging the president to stay away from politics, transfer a large portion of her power to a prime minister and act as a symbolic figurehead for the remaining term of her office.
Public sentiment has boiled up as South Korea's media unveiled dirty and shady deals and collusion involving Park's close associates and confidants. Tens of thousands of protesters have staged candle-lit rallies every weekend, demanding Park's immediate resignation.
Aju News Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com