S Korean ex-president Park interrogated

South Korea's ousted president Park Geun-Hye was questioned by prosecutors yesterday about the corruption and abuse of power scandal that brought her down, after using executive privilege to avoid them for months while in office.

Park apologised to the public as she arrived at the prosecutors' office in Seoul, adding: "I will undergo the investigation sincerely."

The nation's first female president was impeached by parliament in December as millions took to the streets to demand her removal over the sprawling scandal, which has exposed the links between politics and business in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

Her dismissal was confirmed by the country's top court earlier this month.

Questioning by prosecutors is a key step in South Korea's judicial process before a suspect is charged. It can last for many hours, late into the night, and can be repeated if officials deem it necessary.

Park faces multiple charges ranging from abuse of power and coercion to bribery. She is the fourth former South Korean leader to be probed or jailed over corruption scandals.