South Korea

Lawmakers were questioning leaders of big businesses in a rare TV hearing, as part of a huge corruption inquiry.

Eight firms admit donating funds linked to President Park Geun-hye, but deny seeking favours.

Parliament is due to vote on Friday on Ms Park's impeachment over the scandal.

Massive protests have been held in recent weeks demanding her resignation.

The executives are being questioned by a cross-party committee of lawmakers. The panel has no power to punish but its chairman has said the hearing is a place for apology.

Large numbers of police officers are being deployed to prevent demonstrators reaching the presidential palace.

Ms Park is accused of allowing her friend, Choi Soon-sil, to access government documents without clearance.

The president, whose approval ratings have plummeted over the scandal, has said she is "heartbroken".

A long-time friend, the daughter of a cult leader, is accused of undue influence over the president.

Choi Soon-sil is alleged to have pushed businesses to donate millions of dollars to foundations she controlled, helped choose presidential aides, and even picked the president's clothes.

Ms Park apologised on TV on Friday.

Ms Park was close to tears as she addressed the nation, and said the scandal involving her confidante Ms Choi was "all my fault". The president admitted she had let Ms Choi edit her speeches.

Choi Soon-sil, who was detained on Monday, is accused of abuse of authority and attempted fraud.

Eight banks have also been raided in connection with the controversy, South Korean media reported.

The scandal has prompted widespread anger and intense public scrutiny.

What's the scandal about?

Protesters have been calling for Park to resign since revelations last week that her confidante and spiritual adviser Choi Soon-sil may have seen secret government documents and influenced policy.

New positions

In an apparent attempt to stem the scandal Wednesday, Park named three new senior officials to her cabinet.

Kim Byong-joon, a professor at Seoul's Kookmin University, will replace Hwang Kyo-ahn as prime minister, the president's office confirmed to CNN.

Police estimated that around 12,000 demonstrators attended the evening protest, according to the country's semi-official Yonhap news agency.

South Korea's president faces scrutiny for allegedly leaking state documents to a friend.

On Friday, Park Geun-hye ordered the resignation of 10 of her senior secretaries as political turmoil continued to grip the country.

A huge wave washed away six ship crew and coastguard members in Yeosu, a city on the country's southern coast, before they were later rescued, dramatic video from the Yeosu Coast Guard showed.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Security said that four people were missing and more than 500 homes, 150 shops and 1,046 vehicles were flooded.

Three people died in the city of Busan. Two victims were in the city of Ulsan and one victim was found in the north of Gyeongsang province.

The typhoon is now headed towards Japan.

In a speech, President Park Geun-Hye said she was aware of the "gruesome realities" North Koreans face daily.

"We will keep the road open for you to find hope and live a new life," she said. "Please come to the bosom of freedom in the South."

Her comments come after a North Korean soldier crossed the heavily-protected Demilitarized Zone to the South.

"The universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights and welfare are the precious rights you should also enjoy," she said in a speech to mark the country's armed forces day.

Asked in parliament Wednesday if there was a special forces unit already assembled that could eliminate North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, Han Min-koo said: "Yes, we do have such a plan. "

"South Korea has a general idea and plan to use precision missile capabilities to target the enemy's facilities in major areas as well as eliminating the enemy's leadership," he added.

It has long been suspected that such a plan was in place but the minister's candid answer surprised some.

Though the official said the drills are not aimed particularly at North Korea, the announcement comes less than two weeks after North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a nuclear warhead -- its second nuclear test this year and fifth one ever.

The US and South Korea will also simulate what to do in the event of a sudden missile attack.