Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s president, accepted the resignations of several top aides on Sunday as she grappled with a deepening corruption scandal that threatened her grip on power.
The move came after thousands of protesters took to the streets of Seoul on Saturday demanding Ms Park’s resignation after it emerged last week that Choi Soon-sil, a long-time friend of the president, was given access to confidential government documents, including first drafts of policy speeches. She also allegedly used her links to the presidency for financial gain.
The presidential aides have been accused in the local media and by opposition members of allegedly helping or at least tolerating Ms Choi’s alleged meddling in state affairs.