South Korea's ousted president questioned by prosecutors

South Korea’s dismissed president has been questioned by prosecutors in connection with a high-profile corruption scandal that culminated in her impeachment and removal from power.

Upon her arrival at the prosecutors’ office in Seoul on Tuesday, Park Geun-hye told reporters that she was “sorry to the people” and promised to cooperate with the investigations.

After about five hours of continued grilling, an official said that Park had been forthcoming. If Park agrees, the questioning could continue beyond midnight. Authorities have hinted at the possibility of her detention, adding however that she would go home at the end of the first questioning session.

While Park has apologized several times, she has denied receiving any money in the graft case.

It is not yet clear what charges Park is facing, but if convicted of receiving bribes from major business leaders, she could be sentenced to as many as 10 years.

The disgraced former president’s supporters turned out in their hundreds, initially converging on her residence in an affluent area in Seoul and later outside the prosecution office.

In December 2016, the parliament impeached Park over an influence-peddling scandal that involved her close friend Choi Soon-sil.

Earlier this month, the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment and permanently removed her from office. That revoked her immunity from prosecution.

SS