South Korea President Park Guen-hye addressed her nation on Friday, taking sole responsibility for a fast-moving political scandal and vowed to accept an independent investigation into claims of corruption and influence-peddling that have shaken her presidency.

"Everything is my fault and I feel great responsibility.  Prosecutors should get to the bottom of the case and those responsible should receive stern legal punishment," President Park said.  "I will fully co-operate with the prosecutors' investigation.  If necessary, I am willing to be investigated by them and will accept a probe by an independent counsel," she added.

The scandal centers around her relationship with long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil, who it was revealed wielded considerable influence over Park's decision making.  This ranged from wardrobe choices to editing presidential speeches, raising concerns that Ms. Choi might have been given access to classified material.  Prosecutors detained a former aide to President Park, and Ms. Choi is currently under arrest.

Park is the daughter of the country's former military dictator, and Choi is the daughter of a cult leader convicted of fraud. The president defended her friend Choi as "a person who stood with me during the hardest moment in my life", referring to the assassinations of her parents.  But Ms. Park also sought to tamp down the rumor mill by saying, "It is not true that I am a cult follower and held shamanistic rituals at the presidential Blue House."