South Korea - President Park to step down based on agreement reached at Nat'l Assembly

ARIRANG NEWS

Published on Nov 29, 2016

박 대통령, "정치권 일정과 법절차 따라 대통령직에서 물러나겠다"
In a televised national address, President Park Geun-hye said she will step down, based on legal procedures and an agreement reached at the National Assembly.

For more, we have our presidential office correspondent Song Ji-sun standing by at Cheong Wa Dae.
Ji-sun, so President Park has offered to step down, but in accordance with a plan suggested by the parliament? That's right, Daniel.

President Park has asked the parliament to come up with a plan for a transfer of power and her resignation.
She said that she will abide by the plan, including a reduction of her term.

Her announcement comes as the opposition parties are preparing a draft impeachment motion that they are seeking to vote on this Friday or the next. Let's take a listen to the president's remarks: "I hereby announce my resolution. I will leave the fate of my post up to the National Assembly, including shortening my presidential term. I ask the rival parties to discuss and propose a plan to minimize the chaos and the power vacuum in state affairs, for a stable transfer of power. I will then step down from my presidency according to that agenda and related legal procedures. I have let go of everything. All I want now is for the Republic of Korea to escape from the chaos and return to normal." As with her previous national addresses, President Park began her apology with a bow,... saying that no words can calm the public's anger and disappointment.
President Park said that... since she entered politics in 1998... she has never done anything in her own self-interest... 

and it's her fault for not being able to control her acquaintance, likely a reference to her confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is at the center of the power abuse scandal surrounding the top office.

Ji-sun, it looked like some reporters tried to ask the president questions, but she turned around and stepped back inside. Will this be her last public appearance? No, Daniel.

Reporters here at the presidential office were eager to ask her questions, because she didn't take any questions after her previous two national addresses.

But she left, saying that she will explain the details on another occasion.

Her press officer added that today's event was about the president expressing her political stance and upcoming plans... and a separate official press conference will be held soon.

At that time, President Park will likely explain her side regarding the accusations and suspicions surrounding herself and her confidante Choi Soon-sil.

President Park is also facing a special investigation by an independent counsel, after she selects one from the two candidates proposed by opposition bloc.

She has rejected the prosecution's call for an in-person Q-and-A... and dismissed the accusations in their interim investigative report. Daniel.