Ousted South Korean leader denies wrongdoing

The ousted former president of South Korea, Park Geun Hye, expressed defiance Sunday against the corruption allegations that prompted the Constitutional Court to remove her from office two days earlier.

“Although it will take time, I believe the truth will certainly come out,” Park said in a statement, her first public comments upon returning to her home after vacating the presidential palace called the Blue House.

South Korea now must elect a new president by May 9. Opinion polls show liberal Moon Jae In, who lost to Park in 2012, as the favorite to become the country’s next leader.

“We still have a long way to go. We have to make this a country of justice, of common sense through regime change,” Moon, a human rights lawyer, told a news conference. “We all have to work together for a complete victory.”

Moon advocates a “sunshine policy” of working with North Korea while not accepting the “cruel and ruthless behavior” of its “dictatorial regime” of Kim Jong Un, according to The Guardian newspaper.

“We can’t deny that the ruler of the North Korean people is Kim Jong Un,” Moon said. “We have no choice but to recognize Kim Jong Un as a counterpart, whether we put pressure and impose sanctions on North Korea or hold dialogue.”

Park was greeted by hundreds of supporters who chanted her name and “nullify impeachment” while waving the national flag as her black sedan flanked by body guards delivered her to her personal residence. Park smiled and waved and exchanged brief words with members of her party before heading inside.

But Park no longer has immunity from prosecution and may face criminal charges including extortion, bribery and abuse of power. Prosecutors are expected to conduct a criminal investigation over suspicions that she colluded with a jailed confidante, Choi Soon Sil, to extort money and favors from companies, and allowed Choi to interfere with state affairs.

Park and Choi each deny wrongdoing.

The Constitutional Court formally removed Park from office on Friday, upholding an impeachment motion filed by lawmakers in December. Millions of people had protested and called for her ouster.

But Youn Kwansuk, the spokesman for the liberal Democratic Party, the largest in parliament, called Park’s statement “shocking” and “very regrettable” because she did not express remorse.

“Former President Park will now be investigated by prosecutors as a civilian and as a criminal suspect,” Youn said in a statement. “So it’s very regrettable that former President Park decided to waste her last opportunity to come before the nation and show responsibility.”

Park had defeated her liberal opponent convincingly in 2012. She won with overwhelming support from older citizens who recalled her late father, the dictator Park Chung Hee, as a hero.

Min Kyungwook, a lawmaker from Park’s political party and also her former spokesman, read Park’s statement to reporters that expressed gratitude to her supporters and apologized for being unable to complete her term.

“I take responsibility for the outcome of all this,” Min quoted Park as saying. “I feel sorry that I could not finish the mandate given to me as president.”

Contributing: The Associated Press.