South Korean leader plans announcement amid impeachment push

Bs_logoImage
AP Seoul
Last Updated : Nov 29 2016 | 10:57 AM IST
The embattled South Korean president announced today that she would make a public announcement amid a push by lawmakers for impeachment and growing public calls for her resignation.
It wasn't clear what Park Geun-hye planned to say in the live TV broadcast, but a resignation would be a major surprise.
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Seoul each Saturday for the last five weeks to demand that Park step down, but she has rejected calls to leave office and has dismissed prosecutors' claims that she colluded with a confidante who allegedly manipulated power from the shadows and extorted companies to amass an illicit fortune.
Her planned speech comes as opposition parties close in on an impeachment motion against her. They plan to put that motion up for vote on Friday. The country's two largest opposition parties were also planning on Tuesday to nominate a special prosecutor to independently investigate the scandal.
There has also been growing momentum from past supporters for her to leave. Some members of Park's conservative Saenuri party have vowed to support an impeachment attempt, arguing it would serve the party's interests to distance itself from Park ahead of next year's presidential election.
Some pro-Park members of the party have even called for her to set a fixed date for resignation to allow her an "orderly exit" while an interim Cabinet named by the parliament organized a new presidential vote.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

You’ve hit your limit of 5 free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Already subscribed? Log in

Subscribe to read the full story →
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 29 2016 | 10:57 AM IST

2 out of 5 articles left

Subscribe to read without limits
Subscribe Now