Jeon Heon-Kyun-Pool/Getty Images(SEOUL, South Korea) — South Korean President Park Geun-hye announced on Tuesday her intent to resign after series of political scandals prompted nationwide protests.
Park, the country’s first woman president, is facing prosecution for colluding with a close civilian friend who used presidential connections to manipulate government affairs and allegedly extorted companies.
Local media have also been accusing the president of leaking secret government documents to her confidante, who did not have security clearance and no specialty in politics or government affairs.
The scandals have led to hundreds of thousands of protesters gathering in the country’s capital of Seoul over the last few weeks, calling for Park’s resignation.
Park offered a public apology on Tuesday, and asked parliament to find a plan for the safe transfer of power.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.