Tens of thousands of protesters have again taken to the streets in the South Korean capital to demand the resignation of the country's president embroiled in a corruption scandal.

It is the fourth week running a mass candlelit rally has been held in Seoul to demonstrate against Park Geun-hye.

Image: Demonstrators are demanding the president steps down

She is accused of allowing a secretive confidante, Choi Soon-sil, to manipulate power behind the scenes and bully companies into donating tens of millions of dollars to foundations she controlled.

Choi is currently under arrest on charges of fraud and abuse of power.

The latest protest comes after South Korea passed a law that would allow a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations threatening Ms Park's presidency.


Image: Park Geun-hye is facing a corruption inquiry

One demonstrator, Kim Myung-Hee, 30, who atttended the vigil with her husband and two daughters, said: "Park simply doesn't feel ashamed of the wrongs she and her friend did. She must go."

In a move to calm public anger Ms Park has agreed to relinquish some of her extensive presidential powers, but has showed no sign of stepping down, despite her approval rating plunging to just 5% - a record low for a sitting president.

Image: Choi Soon-Sil being escorted following her formal arrest

The scandal has paralysed her administration, but some members of her ruling Saenuri Party have started to hit back at the popular protests.

One politician said: "Candles are candles. They will just go out with a gust of wind."