South Korean President Park Geun-hye apologizes for abuse of power scandal: 'All of this ... is my fault'

South Korean first female president Park Geun-hye, who is currently suffering from the worst rejection of a sitting president in the political history of the country, on Friday apologized for the second time this week for the abuse of power scandal that has rocked her government this week and also took blame for the scandal amid rising suspicion that she allowed a mystery confidante to manipulate power from the shadows.

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest warrant for Park's close friend and informal advisor, Choi Soon-sil, on charges of abuse of power and an attempted government fraud.

 

Mrs. Park is also being accused of allowing Choi to view confidential documents, presidential speeches and accumulating millions of dollars in donations to her foundations despite not holding an official government position.

 

In her apology, Park said she'll take full responsibility for her close friend Choi's access to government documents and also vowed to accept a direct investigation into her actions but however denied being in a cult.

“I feel a huge responsibility deep in my heart,” Park said in an emotional tone during a televised address to the nation. “It is all my fault and mistake.”

"All of this happening is my fault. It happened because of my neglect."

"I feel a huge responsibility [for the scandal] deep in my heart," 

"There are even talks of me being immersed in a cult or resorting to shamanism in the Blue House. I would like to say that this is absolutely not true," she said.

"I put too much faith in a personal relationship and didn't look carefully at what was happening".

"Sad thoughts trouble my sleep at night. I realise that whatever I do, it will be difficult to mend the hearts of the people, and then I feel a sense of shame and ask myself, 'Is this the reason I became president?'"

Park went on to say that anyone found to have done something wrong during the investigation would be punished.,

“Anyone found by the current investigation to have done something wrong must be held responsible for what they have done, and I am also ready to face any responsibility,” Park said.

“If necessary, I'm determined to let prosecutors investigate me and accept an investigation by an independent counsel too.”

In a national poll conducted recently, by Gallup poll, Park's approval rating among South Koreans is now at a record low 5%, the lowest of any South Korea's leader since its 68-year history.

Source: BBC