Korea’s Park Not to Respond to Prosecutor Request: Lawyer

Ms Park is facing allegations that her friend used her ties to the leader to wield improper influence.

However, a president can be punished if he or she resigns or is impeached.

The protest’s organizers have said they expect that number to grow to 1.5 million before the end of the night, and that a further 500,000 are gathering at various protests around the country, Reuters reports.

Organisers said the crowd totalled 1.5mn, while the police estimated the crowd at 260,000.

Police stationed 25,000 officers across the city and blocked roads leading to the presidential Blue House.

South Korea has been witnessing huge protests demanding the resignation of President Park Geun-hye. The late Park is hailed by some as the mastermind behind the country’s current prosperity but criticized by others as a dictator who violated human rights and crushed dissent. For years, she has given Park spiritual guidance.

“Park’s sense of urgency and unrest may grow as she watches protesters marching on her”.

The source, who requested anonymity, told the JoongAng Ilbo that Park is mulling over making another apology some time this week or next to try to explain why she shouldn’t be forced out of office.

South Korean protesters take part in a candlelight procession towards the presidential house during a rally against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye in Seoul on November 26, 2016.

This is the fifth anti-Park protest since news of her political scandal came to light earlier this year. They are also questioning a former presidential adviser on the suspicion that he exercised undue pressure on companies to raise money for Choi’s non-profit foundations.

“Another big rally wouldn’t necessarily lead to Park’s resignation, but will at least provide the motivation for politicians to negotiate harder for a deal to oust her”, said Kim Yun-cheol, who teaches political science at the Humanitas College of Kyung Hee University in Seoul.

No South Korean president has failed to complete their term since the current democratic system was implemented in 1987.

She is set to leave office in February 2018 as she can not run in the country’s presidential election in December next year. The National Assembly is to vote on a bill by December 9.

Those calling for Park’s resignation chanted slogans in English, such as “Step Down”, while the conservative group waved United States and Korean flags, and shouted slogans in support of Park.

Her approval rating fell to 4% and this is an all-time low in history for any President in South Korea according to Gallup Korea.