Park criticized over defiance, may face probe

Nine senior presidential advisers tender resignations to acting leader

SEOUL - Ousted South Korean leader Park Geun-hye faced criticism on Monday over a defiant vow that the truth of her impeachment would be revealed, with the main opposition party urging prosecutors to investigate her quickly.

The Constitutional Court dismissed Park from office on Friday when it upheld a parliamentary impeachment vote over an influence-peddling scandal that has shaken the political and business elite. Park has denied any wrongdoing.

Nine senior presidential advisers to Park tendered their resignations to acting leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, Yonhap news agency reported, citing unidentified government officials.

Hwang's office could not immediately confirm the report, and calls to the presidential Blue House weren't answered.

Park had 10 main presidential advisers on foreign policy, economy and other issues, but one position has been vacant since the arrest of one adviser over the scandal.

Park left the presidential palace in Seoul on Sunday to return to her private home in the city as an ordinary citizen, stripped of her presidential immunity that has shielded her from prosecution.

"Even at the moment she left, she refused to say a word to repent in front of the people, but said such and such about truth and declared nothing but disobedience," said Choo Mi-ae, head of the biggest opposition party.

Park has not commented publicly since the court ruling, but a spokesman read out a statement from her after she returned to her home in the upmarket Gangnam district, in which she expressed regret at not being able to complete her term.

"It will take time, but I believe the truth will be revealed," Park said through the spokesman.

Many South Koreans have interpreted that as a protest against the Constitutional Court's ruling.

The impeachment has exposed divisions in a society in which politics is still partly framed by Cold War rivalry.

Park's mostly liberal opponents gathered for rallies every weekend for months, while her conservative supporters also held demonstrations nearby.

While no serious clashes between the two sides have erupted, three Park supporters died after angry clashes with police outside the court on Friday. Two were believed to have suffered heart attacks and the third died in an accident.