In South Korea, President Park Geun-hye is offering to resign if a safe transfer of power can be ensured by parliament.

In a speech on national TV on Tuesday, Park apologized for the scandal that's rocked her administration. 

The ruling Saenuri Party vows to begin the process of punishing President Park Geun-hye, who has yet again refused to be questioned by prosecutors.

The party's ethics committee has asked Park to submit an explanation for her refusal in 10 days.

On Monday, Park's lawyer Yoo Yeong-ha said the president did not have the time for prosecutors, who had given Park until Tuesday to undergo questioning.

An independent team of investigators takes over the probe in December.