Park Geun-hye

South Korea's Park Geun-hye faces mass protest calling for her to quit

A long-time friend, the daughter of a cult leader, is accused of undue influence over the president.

Choi Soon-sil is alleged to have pushed businesses to donate millions of dollars to foundations she controlled, helped choose presidential aides, and even picked the president's clothes.

Ms Park apologised on TV on Friday.

Ms Park was close to tears as she addressed the nation, and said the scandal involving her confidante Ms Choi was "all my fault". The president admitted she had let Ms Choi edit her speeches.

Arrest sought for President Park's friend Choi in S Korea corruption row

Choi Soon-sil, who was detained on Monday, is accused of abuse of authority and attempted fraud.

Eight banks have also been raided in connection with the controversy, South Korean media reported.

The scandal has prompted widespread anger and intense public scrutiny.

 

What's the scandal about?

North Korea conducts 'fifth and biggest nuclear test'

South Korean President Park Geun-hye called it an act of "self-destruction" which showed the "maniacal recklessness" of leader Kim Jong-un.

It was detected as a 5.3 magnitude quake close to the nuclear test site.

The North has not commented, but analysts fear this could be a sign of the rogue state's nuclear progress.

Previous artificial earthquakes in the same area and of that magnitude have all been nuclear tests.

China parade draws Putin, but few other major world leaders

 After them, the wattage gets pretty low.

Beijing says the attendance of 30 overseas leaders from countries ranging from Mongolia to Egypt to Venezuela is a sign that China's long-undervalued contributions to that victory in 1945 are finally getting their proper due.