Thousands gather in S. Korea capital to demand president’s resignationNovember 12, 2016 - 13:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in the South Korean capital, Seoul, to demand the resignation of President Park Gun-hye, BBC News reports. Large numbers of police officers are being deployed to prevent demonstrators reaching the presidential palace. Park is accused of allowing her friend, Choi Soon-sil, to access government documents without clearance. The president, whose approval ratings have plummeted over the scandal, has said she is "heartbroken". Last week, protesters gathered in central Seoul chanting, singing and holding banners reading "Park Geun-hye out" and "Treason by a secret government". Choi is accused of trying to extort huge sums of money from South Korean companies and is under arrest on charges of fraud and abuse of power. She was detained last week on suspicion of using her friendship with Park to solicit business donations for a non-profit fund she controlled. Park has apologised following the revelations, saying she "put too much faith in a personal relationship and didn't look carefully at what was happening". "Sad thoughts trouble my sleep at night. I realise that whatever I do, it will be difficult to mend the hearts of the people, and then I feel a sense of shame.'" She said anyone found to have done wrong would be punished, and that she was prepared to be investigated by prosecutors. Prosecutors have also said they are expanding their official investigation. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |