Park quits palace, but stays defiant
Truth will come out, says ousted South Korean president
SEOUL // Disgraced South Korean president Park Geun-hye struck a defiant note on a corruption scandal as she left the presidential palace yesterday.
In her first public comments since the court’s ruling to remove her from office two days ago, Ms Park said: “Although it will take time, I believe the truth will certainly come out.”
She is likely to face a direct investigation soon by prosecutors who already consider her a criminal suspect after allegations she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favours from companies and allowed the friend to secretly interfere with state affairs. Upon her return home, Ms Park was greeted by hundreds of supporters who chanted her name and waved the South Korean flag as her black sedan slowly rolled into a path near the house. She smiled and waved from inside the car, then stepped out and exchanged brief words with members of her political party.
Ms Park expressed gratitude to her supporters and apologised for “failing to fulfil my duty as president”.
Until yesterday, she had apologised for putting trust in her jailed friend, Choi Soon-sil, but strongly denied any legal wrongdoing. Youn Kwansuk, the spokesman for the liberal Democratic Party, the largest in parliament, called Ms Park’s statement shocking and very regrettable because she did not express remorse.
“Former president Park will now be investigated by prosecutors as a civilian and as a criminal suspect,” Mr Youn said. “It’s very regrettable that former president Park decided to waste her last opportunity to come before the nation and show re- sponsibility.” Ms Park no longer has immunity from prosecution and may face criminal charges including extortion, bribery and abuse of power.
The constitutional court formally removed her from office on Friday, upholding an impeachment motion filed by MPs in December that followed weeks of protests by millions of people calling for her removal. The ruling ended a power struggle that had consumed the nation for months and marked a stunning downfall for Ms Park, who defeated her liberal opponent in 2012 with overwhelming support from older South Koreans, who remembered her dictator father as a hero.
Her departure from the presidential palace yesterday came a day after tens of thousands of opponents and supporters divided the streets of central Seoul with massive rallies, reflecting a nation deeply split over its future.
Three people died and dozens were injured in clashes between Ms Park’s supporters and police after the court verdict on Friday.