South Korea

Tokyo will also halt talks with South Korea on a planned currency swap and delay high-level economic dialogue as part of its "initial" response to the statue, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press briefing Friday.

The statue was erected by a civil group in December and represents "comfort women," women who were forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II.

"The fact that the girls' statue was set up has an unfavorable influence on relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, and it is extremely regrettable," Suga said.

An agreement between the city of Seongnam and the vendors' association at Moran market means that slaughter facilities will be removed as early as next week, the Korea Herald newspaper reports. The 22 dog meat vendors at the market, which sells anything from antiques to live animals to the city's million residents, are to receive financial support to enable them to convert to different lines of business.

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.