Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye has denied any wrongdoing, making her first public statement since being removed from office over a massive corruption scandal.
The Latest on the removal from office of South Korean President Park Geun-hye (all times local):
8:10 p.m.
Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye has denied any wrongdoing, making her first public statement since being removed from office over a massive corruption scandal.
In a statement read out by a member of her political party on Sunday, Park said, « Although it will take time, I believe the truth will certainly come out. »
She also expressed gratitude to her supporters and apologized for « failing to fulfill my duty as president. »
Lawmaker Min Kyungwook read the statement after Park left the presidential Blue House and arrived at her Seoul home.
The Constitutional Court formally removed Park from office on Friday, upholding an impeachment motion filed by lawmakers in December amid suspicions that she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favors from companies and allowed the friend to secretly manipulate state affairs.
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7:50 p.m.
Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye has arrived at her home in Seoul after vacating the presidential palace two days after the country’s Constitutional Court removed her from office over a massive corruption scandal.
Park arrived at her home on Sunday evening and was greeted by hundreds of supporters who chanted her name and waved the country’s flag.
She smiled and waved from inside a black sedan as it slowly rolled into the path near her home as bodyguards closely flanked the vehicle. She briefly exchanged words with some supporters and members of her political party before going inside the house, but did not make a public statement.
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7:20 p.m.
Ousted South President Park Geun-hye has left the presidential palace in Seoul two days after the country’s Constitutional Court removed her from office over a corruption scandal.
An official from the Blue House said Sunday evening that Park left for her private house in southern Seoul, where hundreds of police officers, reporters and supporters were gathered in anticipation of her arrival.
Workers were earlier seen carrying a television, washing machine, bed and other household items into the house.
The Constitutional Court formally removed Park from office on Friday, upholding an impeachment motion filed by lawmakers amid suspicions that she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favors from companies.
South Korea must elect a new president by early May.
