The South Korean president has ordered senior secretaries to resign.

(Baonghean.vn) - South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on October 29 ordered the resignation of 10 of her senior secretaries amid investigations into allowing an old friend, the daughter of a religious sect leader, to interfere in important state affairs.

Park is facing calls for a reshuffle in her office after admitting on October 25 to providing her speeches to longtime friend Choi Soon-sil for editing. Her televised apology sparked widespread criticism of her poor management of national information and her heavy-handed leadership style, which many viewed as lacking transparency.

President Park Geun Hye issued an apology on October 25, 2016. (Photo: Getty)

According to recent reports, approval ratings for President Park have fallen to a record low, and the opposition Justice Party has called for her resignation. The opposition Minjoo Party, fearing a negative impact on next year's presidential election, has only hinted at the need for more drastic changes, including a cabinet reshuffle.

Over the past few days, prosecutors have expanded their investigation, searching homes and offices owned by Choi and several of her associates, as well as the offices of two non-profit organizations she controls.

Park's aides who had to leave included Woo Byung-Woo, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and Ahn Jong-Beom, senior secretary for economic affairs. Lee Won-Jong, Park's chief of staff, offered his resignation on Wednesday, October 26.

Woo was blamed for failing to prevent Choi from interfering in state affairs and for his alleged involvement in corruption.

Mr. Ahn is suspected of helping Ms. Choi pressure South Korean companies to donate to the Mir and K-Sports foundations, which were established last October and this November, respectively.

The president's office said it would soon announce a new team of senior secretaries.

Attorney Lee Gyeong-jae said Choi is currently in Germany and is ready to return to South Korea if prosecutors summon her. In an interview with a South Korean newspaper earlier this week, Choi admitted to receiving presidential documents but denied interfering in state affairs or pressuring companies for donations.

Choi and Park became friends in the 1970s, when Choi's late father, Choi Tae-min, a former Buddhist monk, sect leader, and Catholic pastor, emerged as an advisor to Park.

At that time, Park was the first lady, succeeding her mother, who died in 1974 at the hands of an assassin who killed Park Chung-Hee. Five years later, the former president was murdered by his own chief intelligence officer.

Thanh Hien

(According to AP)