Thousands protest in South Korea, demand president Park Geun-hye resignation over leaking scandal

Thousands of people in South Korea have staged a protesting rally against President Park Geun-hye, calling on her to resign over allegations that she leaked important official documents to a close friend and allowed her to interfere in important state affairs.

About 8,000 angry people took part in the rally that was held in the capital, Seoul, on Saturday, amid a deepening crisis sparked by allegations that depicted Park as a betrayer of her people’s trust and incapable of managing the government.

The demonstration was organized by a number of left-leaning civic groups that said up to 30,000 people had participated in the rally through the capital.   

The street protest came a day after Park ordered 10 of her senior secretaries to step down in a bid to reshuffle her cabinet.

This comes as prosecutors are interrogating presidential associates and other officials to determine whether they violated the law to allow Park’s longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, to exert unjustified influence and gain financially.

They also have widened their investigation into the case by raiding the homes and offices belonging to Choi and some of her aides.

People take part in a protest denouncing South Korean President Park Geun-hye over a recent influence-peddling scandal in central Seoul, South Korea, on October 29, 2016. The banner reads, “Call for Park Geun-hye to step down.” (Photo by Reuters)

Park came under fire after she acknowledged on Tuesday that she had given drafts of her speeches for editing to Choi and made a public apology for sharing “certain documents” with her.

The 64-year-old leader admitted that Choi, who holds no post in her administration, advised her on speeches and public relations issued during the 2012 presidential election campaign and continued to assist her for a period after the 2013 inauguration.

There is also speculation that Choi meddled in government decisions on personnel and policy and exploited her ties with the president to misappropriate state funds for her personal use.

According to the latest nationwide survey by pollster Realmeter, Park's popularity stands at 17.5 percent, with 43 percent of respondents demanding her resignation.