Park apologises over leak of speech drafts
South Korean president admits to seeking advice from confidant Choi Soon-sil, who also edited her speeches
By Kang Seung-woo
President Park Geun-hye admitted Tuesday that her long-time confidant Choi Soon-sil had edited her speeches in the early years of her presidency, apologising for public concern raised by the controversy surrounding Choi.
Her acknowledgement came one day after media reports revealed that Choi had prior access to presidential speeches and edited them, intensifying allegations that she exerted influence on state affairs.
Following the reports by JTBC, a local cable channel, the opposition parties urged Park to speak out and apologise for the case, denouncing it as an affront to democracy. They even mentioned a possible investigation into the President.
“Choi advised me on expressions in my speeches and public relations during the last presidential campaign, and she continued to help me for a certain period of time after I took office,” Park said in a surprise statement at Cheong Wa Dae.
“However, it stopped after the presidential office completed relevant systems,” she added without specifying when it came to an end.