Protesters hold mass rally against Park Geun-hye

Police said 260,000 people took part in the fifth straight weekend of massive protests against the extremely unpopular president, who prosecutors accuse of assisting criminal activities of a secretive confidante who allegedly manipulated power from the shadows and extorted companies to build an illicit fortune.

On November 20, Choi Soon Sil was charged with abuse of authority, attempted coercion and attempted fraud.

Despite the temperature staying close to freezing after snowfall through much of the day, protesters braved the conditions with the same festive gusto that has characterized five consecutive weekends of protest amid a corruption scandal that continues to unfold.

Under South Korea’s Constitution, a sitting president can not be prosecuted for less than serious criminal offenses such as insurrection.

He said Monday that Park would not accept a fresh request by prosecutors to undergo questioning on Tuesday.

As of 8pm Saturday, The Korean Times reported 1.3 million attended the largest protest in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, where activists and musicians entertained the enormous crowd.

Park is accused of using presidential aides to collect money for her friend’s foundations. They shouted in one voice for Park’s resignation.

This is the second time Park has been mentioned in an indictment linked to Choi, a private citizen who is alleged to have meddled in state affairs.

People beat drums and chanted “Park get out now” as they walked towards the presidential Blue House that had been cordoned off by thousands of police deployed in the South Korean capital.

The South Korean president’s term lasts until 24 February 2018, but an election must be held within 60 days if she resigns before the presidential election in December 2017.

Ms Park’s approval rating has dropped to a record low 4 percent.

In a public apology this month, Park said she would make herself available to any investigations, including that by the special prosecutor, adding that she would take responsibility if found guilty.

Her lawyer, Yoo Yeong-ha, has described prosecutors’ accusations against Park as groundless.

An impeachment motion at South Korea’s 300-member unicameral legislature, controlled by the opposition parties, requires the support of at least half of the parliament to start and needs a two-thirds majority to pass.

In the meantime, the prime minister would lead the government on an interim basis.

According to the AFP, a poll this week indicated that nine out of 10 South Koreans want Park kicked out of office.