More Lawmakers Call on S. Korean Leader to Resign Over 'Shadow Adviser' Scandal

Six lawmakers from the main Korean opposition Democratic Party have joined their colleagues from progressive Justice Party in a call for the immediate resignation of President Park Geun-hye over a scandal concerning the so-called "shadow adviser," Choi Soon-sil, local media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On October 24, the JTBC television network reported that Choi had been allegedly receiving drafts of Park’s speeches before they were publicly delivered, even though she had never held a public post. The following day, Park officially admitted asking Choi for advice on speeches and public relations issues, and apologized for "causing public concern."

"Park's ability to lead state affairs is now destroyed… Park's prolonged rule will bring extreme confusion, leaving the country in a deadlock. The people will become victims. There will be disaster if Park does not step down and continues to cling to her remaining term in office," the lawmakers said in a statement, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.

South Korean prosecutors placed Choi in emergency detention on Monday and requested an arrest warrant on Wednesday.

The scandal and the drastically falling level of support for the president have already caused a reshuffle of the government. On Wednesday, Kim Byong-joon, adviser of former South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun, was appointed as the new prime minister. Park also decided to appoint head of the Financial Services Commission Yim Jong-yong as the new South Korean finance minister.