U.S. expresses support for Koreans' right to peaceful protests. November. 30, 2016 07:18. by Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com.

The U.S. government has spoken about the candlelight rally in South Korea calling for President Park Geun-hye's resignation, by saying that the U.S. stands on the right of peaceful protest and assembly and will continue to support that around the world.

"We have seen the press reporting of the political protests, and I would let the protesters and the government of Korea speak to that," State Department spokesman John Kirby said at a briefing Monday (local time). This is the first time that a high U.S. government official publicly said positive comments on South Korean protests demand President Park's resignation. The U.S. government had so far stressed that the Korea-U.S. alliance should not be affected despite the influence-peddling scandal of Choi Soon-sil, a longtime confidante to the president.

A U.S. government official said Washington has been receiving daily related issues through the U.S. Embassy in Korea and CIA among others.

Kirby also stressed that the protests will not have a negative effect on bilateral relations, saying Korea remains a "steadfast ally, friend, and partner," and the U.S. commitment to it is firm.

The Financial Times said Monday at an editorial "South Korea’s president must put the nation first" that "The scandal surrounding Park Geun-hye is doing immeasurable harm" to Korea, adding that she should immediately agree to meet prosecutors and provide them with a full account of her dealings with Choi, or immediately resign and save the country months or even years of paralysis and political wrangling. It is the first time that the British newspaper wrote in an editorial urging the Korean president to accept prosecutors' probe and offered her to resign. The Wall Street Journal also said at its editorial "A dangerous moment in Korea" that "Pyongyang could misjudge scandal in Seoul and transition in the U.S., raising concerns of North Korea's additional provocations.