Ousted South Korea leader shows defiance

Associated Press

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye expressed defiance toward the corruption allegations against her as she vacated the presidential palace and returned to her home Sunday, two days after the Constitutional Court removed her from office.

In her first public comments since the court’s ruling, Park said in statement, “Although it will take time, I believe the truth will certainly come out.”

Park likely will face a direct investigation soon by prosecutors who already consider her a criminal suspect over suspicions that she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favors from companies and allowed the friend to secretly interfere with state affairs.

Upon her return home, Park was greeted by hundreds of supporters who thunderously chanted her name and waved the South Korean flag.

Park smiled and waved from inside the car.

In her statement, which was read to reporters by Min Kyungwook, a lawmaker from her conservative party and her former spokesman, Park also expressed gratitude to her supporters and apologized for “failing to fulfill my duty as president.” Before Sunday, she had apologized for putting trust in her jailed friend, Choi Soon-sil, but strongly denied any legal wrongdoing.

Youn Kwansuk, the spokesman for the liberal Democratic Party, the largest in parliament, called Park’s statement “shocking” and “very regrettable” because she did not express remorse.