Ousted S Korean leader defiant over scandal

SOUTH Korea’s impeached president Park Geun-hye expressed defiance toward corruption allegations against her as she vacated the presidential palace and returned to her home yesterday, two days after the constitutional court removed her from office.

In her first public comments since the court’s ruling, Ms Park said in a statement: “Although it will take time, I believe the truth will certainly come out.”

Prosecutors are likely to open an investigation against Ms Park, who no longer has immunity from prosecution, into claims that she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favors 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 thunderously chanted her name and waved the South Korean flag. In her statement, read by Min Kyungwook, her former spokesman, Ms Park thanked her supporters and apologised for “failing to fulfill my duty as president.”

She had previously apologised for putting trust in her jailed friend, Choi Soon-sil, but strongly denied any legal wrongdoing.

Youn Kwansuk, 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 in a statement. “So it’s very regrettable that former President Park decided to waste her last opportunity to come before the nation and show responsibility.”