A South Korean Buddhist monk is in critical condition after setting himself on fire during a mass protest against the impeached President Park Geun-Hye, officials said Sunday.&nbsp;

The monk, in his 60s and whose name was not released, set himself alight late Saturday night in central Seoul where hundreds of thousands returned to the streets for the eleventh week to demand Park&#39;s ouster.&nbsp;

He left a note urging authorities to arrest the scandal-hit president for committing &quot;treason&quot;, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Park was impeached by parliament last month over an influence-peddling scandal that sparked a storm of public fury and nationwide protests, and the Constitutional Court now has to decide whether to confirm the impeachment.&nbsp;

The monk also slammed Park as a &quot;traitor&quot; for forging a deal with Japan to settle compensation for women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during the World War II, according to Yonhap.&nbsp;

Critics say the 2015 deal did not go far enough in holding Japan responsible for wartime abuses. Tensions between the two countries spiked on Friday when Tokyo recalled its ambassador over a statue of a &quot;comfort woman&quot;.

The monk suffered third-degree burns across his body and remains unconscious, according to police and staff at Seoul National University Hospital where he is being treated.&nbsp;

Self-immolation is not unheard of as a means of protest in the South, and was particularly common during the pro-democracy movement of the 1980s and early 90s when a number of activists set themselves on fire during public demonstrations.&nbsp;

Park is accused of colluding with her secret confidante, Choi Soon-Sil, to coerce top local firms to &quot;donate&quot; tens of millions of dollars to non-profit foundations which Choi then used as her personal ATMs.&nbsp;

The president is also accused of letting Choi, the daughter of a shady religious figure who was also close to Park for decades, meddle in state affairs including nomination of top officials.

Both Park and Choi -- who is currently on trial -- have denied any wrongdoing.

(AFP)

The 60-year-old monk left a note urging authorities to arrest the scandal-hit president Park Geun-Hye for committing 'treason'

A South Korean Buddhist monk is in critical condition after setting himself on fire during a mass protest against the impeached President Park Geun-Hye, officials said Sunday. The monk, in his 60s and whose name was not released, set himself alight late Saturday night in central Seoul where hundreds of thousands returned to the streets for the eleventh week to demand Park's ouster. He left a note urging authorities to arrest the scandal-hit president for committing "treason", the Yonhap news agency reported. Park was impeached by parliament last month over an influence-peddling scandal that sparked a storm of public fury and nationwide protests, and the Constitutional Court now has to decide whether to confirm the impeachment. The monk also slammed Park as a "traitor" for forging a deal with Japan to settle compensation for women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during the World War II, according to Yonhap. Critics say the 2015 deal did not go far enough in holding Japan responsible for wartime abuses. Tensions between the two countries spiked on Friday when Tokyo recalled its ambassador over a statue of a "comfort woman". The monk suffered third-degree burns across his body and remains unconscious, according to police and staff at Seoul National University Hospital where he is being treated. Self-immolation is not unheard of as a means of protest in the South, and was particularly common during the pro-democracy movement of the 1980s and early 90s when a number of activists set themselves on fire during public demonstrations. Park is accused of colluding with her secret confidante, Choi Soon-Sil, to coerce top local firms to "donate" tens of millions of dollars to non-profit foundations which Choi then used as her personal ATMs. The president is also accused of letting Choi, the daughter of a shady religious figure who was also close to Park for decades, meddle in state affairs including nomination of top officials. Both Park and Choi -- who is currently on trial -- have denied any wrongdoing. (AFP)

South Korea: Buddhist monk immolates self at anti-President rally

The impeachment of South Korea&#39;s scandal-hit president, Park Geun-Hye, looked certain Tuesday as dissident lawmakers in her ruling party said they would support an opposition motion calling for her ouster.

The national assembly is slated to vote on the impeachment motion on Friday, with the backing of around 30 Saenuri Party MPs needed to reach the required two-thirds majority.

The ruling party had initially insisted that Park be allowed to step down voluntarily, and had proposed a timeline that would see her resign in April -- 10 months short of her full presidential term.

But a series of massive anti-Park protests -- the latest of which saw up to 1.6 million take to the streets of Seoul on Saturday -- appeared to have swayed the mood of the party&#39;s anti-Park faction.

&quot;Following rounds of discussion, we&#39;ve concluded that the card of the president leaving her office in April has already been rejected by the people,&quot; said a member of the faction, lawmaker Hwang Young-Cheul.

&quot;All preparations have been made that are necessary to ensure the impeachment motion be passed,&quot; Hwang was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency.

According to Hwang&#39;s count, around 35 Saenuri Party MPs would support the motion which, if adopted, would still require approval by the Constitutional Court -- a process that could take up to six months.

Accused of colluding with a close friend, Choi Soon-Sil, who faces embezzlement charges, Park said last month she would be willing to step down in the face of the weekly mass protests.

But the opposition said Park&#39;s offer, which put the manner and timing of her resignation in the hands of parliament, was an effort to buy time and avoid impeachment.

Prosecutors say they have evidence that Park colluded in Choi&#39;s efforts to coerce South Korean companies to &quot;donate&quot; tens of millions of dollars to foundations she used for personal gain.

Park has been named as a formal suspect in the investigation, making her the first sitting president to be subject to a criminal probe while in office.

While she retains the presidency, Park cannot be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason, but she would lose that immunity once she leaves office.

(AFP)

Around 30 dissident lawmakers in her ruling party have said they will support an Opposition motion calling for her ouster

The impeachment of South Korea's scandal-hit president, Park Geun-Hye, looked certain Tuesday as dissident lawmakers in her ruling party said they would support an opposition motion calling for her ouster. The national assembly is slated to vote on the impeachment motion on Friday, with the backing of around 30 Saenuri Party MPs needed to reach the required two-thirds majority. The ruling party had initially insisted that Park be allowed to step down voluntarily, and had proposed a timeline that would see her resign in April -- 10 months short of her full presidential term. But a series of massive anti-Park protests -- the latest of which saw up to 1.6 million take to the streets of Seoul on Saturday -- appeared to have swayed the mood of the party's anti-Park faction. "Following rounds of discussion, we've concluded that the card of the president leaving her office in April has already been rejected by the people," said a member of the faction, lawmaker Hwang Young-Cheul. "All preparations have been made that are necessary to ensure the impeachment motion be passed," Hwang was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency. According to Hwang's count, around 35 Saenuri Party MPs would support the motion which, if adopted, would still require approval by the Constitutional Court -- a process that could take up to six months. Accused of colluding with a close friend, Choi Soon-Sil, who faces embezzlement charges, Park said last month she would be willing to step down in the face of the weekly mass protests. But the opposition said Park's offer, which put the manner and timing of her resignation in the hands of parliament, was an effort to buy time and avoid impeachment. Prosecutors say they have evidence that Park colluded in Choi's efforts to coerce South Korean companies to "donate" tens of millions of dollars to foundations she used for personal gain. Park has been named as a formal suspect in the investigation, making her the first sitting president to be subject to a criminal probe while in office. While she retains the presidency, Park cannot be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason, but she would lose that immunity once she leaves office. (AFP)

Impeachment of South Korea President Park Geun-Hye looks certain

South Korean prosecutors investigating a corruption scandal engulfing President Park-Geun Hye have quizzed Samsung group scion and the chairman of Hyundai Motor, a report said Sunday.

Lee Jae-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and the heir-apparent of the Samsung group, was being questioned by prosecutors, Yonhap news agency said.&nbsp;

It cited an official at the Seoul prosecutors&#39; office, which is probing whether Park pressured the firms to donate millions of dollars to dubious foundations controlled by her longtime confidant, Choi Soon-Sil.

Samsung made the largest donation of more than $15 million and is accused of separately offering 2.8 million euros ($3.1 million) to Choi to bankroll her daughter&#39;s equestrian training in Germany.

Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-Koo was also quizzed along with the bosses of other powerful conglomerates, Yonhap said.&nbsp;

The president reportedly had a meeting last July with the top businessmen at her office and urged them to donate money to the two cultural foundations that Choi used for personal gain.

Prosecutors also announced Sunday a plan to quiz Park this week. If this happens she will be the first South Korean president to be questioned by prosecutors while in office.&nbsp;

The &quot;donations&quot; from the firms amounted to nearly $70 million, including 20 billion won ($17.5 million) from Samsung and 12.8 billion won from Hyundai.

Choi was arrested recently for allegedly using her ties with Park to coerce donations from the firms and meddling in a wide range of state affairs although she holds no official position.&nbsp;

The scandal has sparked nationwide fury and massive protests calling for Park to resign.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Prosecutors questioned the bosses of the conglomerates whether President Park pressured the firms to make donations to dubious foundations

South Korean prosecutors investigating a corruption scandal engulfing President Park-Geun Hye have quizzed Samsung group scion and the chairman of Hyundai Motor, a report said Sunday. Lee Jae-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and the heir-apparent of the Samsung group, was being questioned by prosecutors, Yonhap news agency said. It cited an official at the Seoul prosecutors' office, which is probing whether Park pressured the firms to donate millions of dollars to dubious foundations controlled by her longtime confidant, Choi Soon-Sil. Samsung made the largest donation of more than $15 million and is accused of separately offering 2.8 million euros ($3.1 million) to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-Koo was also quizzed along with the bosses of other powerful conglomerates, Yonhap said. The president reportedly had a meeting last July with the top businessmen at her office and urged them to donate money to the two cultural foundations that Choi used for personal gain. Prosecutors also announced Sunday a plan to quiz Park this week. If this happens she will be the first South Korean president to be questioned by prosecutors while in office. The "donations" from the firms amounted to nearly $70 million, including 20 billion won ($17.5 million) from Samsung and 12.8 billion won from Hyundai. Choi was arrested recently for allegedly using her ties with Park to coerce donations from the firms and meddling in a wide range of state affairs although she holds no official position. The scandal has sparked nationwide fury and massive protests calling for Park to resign. (AFP)

Samsung, Hyundai bosses quizzed in South Korea scandal probe