South Korea's impeached president, Park Geun Hye, said Sunday she was the victim of "distorted" reporting and false suspicions. In an interview published by the Yonhap news agency, Park denied charges of complicity in relation to her confidante Choi Soon Sil. Choi is the key figure in an influence-peddling scandal in which she is accused of meddling in state affairs and gaining access to official state documents with the help of Park - even though she holds no official government position. The interview was her first since parliament voted to impeach her on December 9, dpa reported. "Rumours, stories and broadcasts have been distorted, and false information has been getting out of hand," the conservative head of state said. "Misunderstandings have begotten misunderstandings, and erroneous reports led to the reproduction of other erroneous reports ... I feel heavy-hearted," she said. Park denies her longtime friend Choi had any influence on government business. Choi, who is being held on remand, is also accused of using her relationship with Park to gain donations for her two foundations and to enrich herself. The Constitutional Court must decide in the coming months whether to remove Park permanently from office. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo Ahn is acting president.
