Protesters call on South Korean President Park Geun-hye to resign. Credit:Getty Images She made history four years ago when she became the country's first female leader, but is now facing the worst crisis of her turbulent tenure. A growing number of politicians and thousands of ordinary people are calling for her resignation, and her own justice minister has raised the possibility that she could be investigated for wrongdoing. "I deeply apologise to the nation for causing this disappointment and distress," Park said on Friday morning in a nationally televised address, only her second statement on the issue since the controversy erupted last month. She appeared to be on the brink of tears. "I blame myself for everything.," she said. The crisis began when local media reported that the notoriously aloof Park had been relying on Choi Soon-sil, a longtime confidante with links to a questionable shamanistic cult, for secret advice on everything from speeches to her wardrobe.

TV screens show the moment Park Geun-hye took sole blame for a "heartbreaking" scandal that threatens her government. Credit:AP More evidence has since emerged that Choi, who held no official position and had no security clearance, had access to confidential information and a surprising amount of sway over the president, leading to media outlets here calling her the "shadow president". Choi is also alleged to have taken advantage of her relationship with Park to enrich herself - she is accused to siphoning off much of the $US70 million ($91 million) donated to foundations she ran - and benefit her family. Speculation that the rules were changed to allow Choi's daughter to enter a prestigious university contributed to the college president's resignation. Protesters call for South Korean President Park Geun-Hye to step down on Thursday. Credit:Getty Images Choi is now in custody and a court has issued a warrant for arrest on charges of being an accessory to an abuse of power and attempted embezzlement.

As the scandal mounted, Park last week appeared on television to apologise and explain that Choi, whom she's known for 40 years, helped her through "difficult times". But as new information comes to light, the public is becoming more and more enraged. South Korean protesters wear masks of President Park Geun-hye, right, and Choi Soon-sil, while calling for Park to step down on Wednesday. Credit:AP Thousands of people protested in central Seoul last weekend calling for her resignation, and recent polls show as many as 70 per cent of respondents want Park to stand down. Her approval ratings have sunk below 10 per cent. Gallup Korea's daily poll put Park's support at 5 per cent on Friday, the lowest ever recorded for any South Korean president. Park has attempted to quell the outrage by firing key ministers and advisers, but this has not had its desired effect.

The left-wing opposition objected that it was not consulted before Park nominated a new prime minister even though her pick, Kim Byong-joon, worked for a liberal president. Kim on Thursday said that it was possible Park could be investigated for her role in the scandal, suggesting he favoured an interpretation of the constitution that allowed the head of state's actions to be scrutinised. The constitution states that the president cannot be prosecuted while in office, but some legal scholars are saying it doesn't rule out investigation. "I believe we can conduct an investigation into Park. But as she is still the head of state, we should be prudent in the process," Kim told reporters. "Everyone is equal before the law." Separately, Kim Hyun-woong, the justice minister, said that he would look into whether an investigation was warranted. "If President Park volunteers to be investigated, then an investigation with no limitations could be carried out," Kim told lawmakers on Thursday. But this is dependent on heragreeing, and anyway would likely take the form of written question and answers, not being questioned in person.

In her address on Friday, Park said she was willing to answer questions. "The prosecutors office should not be distracted. They should try to uncover the truth," she said. "I will do my best to clarify this case and I have already instructed my secretaries to actively cooperate with the investigation. If it is necessary, I myself will accept being investigated by the prosecutors' office, or even a special prosecutor's investigation." Washington Post, AP