South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Sunday denied allegations against her of involvement in a corruption scandal surrounding her longtime confidante, as the Constitutional Court accelerates its legal review of her impeachment case. 
The president expressed frustration at what she termed "distorted and false" suspicions and "erroneous" media coverage, during the New Year's greeting meeting with reporters, the first such event since she was impeached on December 9 over the highly-charged scandal, state news agency (Yonhap) reported. 
Park also vowed to "conscientiously" respond to the ongoing probe, which Independent Counsel Park Young-soo launched last month to look into multiple charges against the president, including abuse of authority, coercion and leaking of official secrets. 
"Rumors, stories and broadcasts have been distorted, and false information has been getting out of hand," Park said during the meeting at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae. "Misunderstandings have begotten misunderstandings, and erroneous reports led to the reproduction of other erroneous reports ... I feel heavy-hearted". 
Last month, Park's attorneys already repudiated all charges against her, urging the Constitutional Court to overturn the parliament's impeachment decision. The court will determine whether to unseat Park or reinstate her after a legal review that could last up to six months.

Source: QNA