President Park expresses regret over PM′s resignation， vows political reforms

In a message delivered by her senior press secretary， President Park Geun－hye first talked about accepting Prime Minister Lee Wan－koo′s resignation the day before.
(Korean)
″In order to minimize the administrative vacuum， I， despite having regrets， accepted the prime minister′s resignation. I′m sorry that the latest scandal caused a public concern.″
(″국정공백을 최소화하기 위해 더 늦출 수 없는 사안이라 안타깝지만 국무총리의 사의를 수용했습니다. 이번 문제로 국민 여러분께 심려를 끼쳐드려 유감스럽게 생각합니다.″)
Despite calls from both rival political parties， the president did not offer the nation an apology for the bribery scandal， which involves many politicians known to be close to her.
While urging the prosecution to be impartial in clarifying the allegations， President Park vowed to reform the country′s political culture.
(Korean)
″By eradicating the dishonesty， irregularities and corruption that have been passed on over the years， I will carry out new political reforms.″
(″이번에 반드시 과거부터 내려온 부정과 비리， 부패 척결을 해서 새로운 정치 개혁을 이뤄 나갈 것입니다.″)
The president also left the door open for an independent probe， if agreed upon by the rival parties， should the prosecution′s investigation fall short of clarifying all the allegations.
The President added that two pardons granted to Sung Woan－jong by the former Roh Moo－hyun administration should also be investigated.
(Korean)
″A pardon should be granted only in a special case where the country needs to save the person， and when there′s public consensus.″
(″사면은 예외적으로 특별하고 국가가 구제해 줄 필요가 있는 상황이 있을 때만 행사해야하고 그에 대한 국민적 합의가 있어야 된다고 생각합니다.″)
She asked the political parties to set their differences aside， agree on pending public employee pension reforms， and pass bills expected to help create jobs for the country′s young people.
Choi You－sun， Arirang News.