Issued her first public apology over the Choi Soon-sil scandal.
On October 25, 2016, Park Geun-hye publicly acknowledged her involvement in the evolving Choi Soon-sil scandal through a televised apology. The scandal revealed undue influence exerted by Choi, a longtime confidant, over governmental affairs. This apology marked Park's first public admission and acknowledgment of the extent of Choi's access, which led to widespread outrage and protests. Her address aimed to mitigate the fallout and restore public trust but ultimately intensified demands for accountability from her administration.