FORMER South Korean President Park Geun-hye yesterday left the presidential Blue House for her private home in southern Seoul two days after the constitutional court upheld her impeachment.

    Park apologized for the unfinished presidential term through her spokesman.

    Former presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook read Park’s short statement, saying Park made her apology for the unfinished five-year term of her presidency.

    Park expressed her thanks to people supporting her, saying she will take responsibility for all results.

    Though it would take time, truth will be disclosed, Park said in the statement.

    Park came out from the residence inside the Blue House at about 7 p.m. local time. A queue of black sedans and vans, carrying the ousted leader and security guards, departed from the presidential office around 15 minutes later, TV footage showed.

    Outside her home, hundreds of Park supporters gathered to cheer up the removed president.

    She smilingly waved her hand to the supporters and shook hands with some lawmakers of the Liberty Korea Party before entering her home.

    Two days earlier, the constitutional court unanimously upheld the bill to impeach Park, which was passed by the parliament Dec. 9.

    Park became the first South Korean leader to be ousted through impeachment.

    She was stripped of all executive power and lost the title as head of state immediately after the ruling.

    Park was supposed to leave her office Friday, but it was delayed as her home needed renovations.

    Before departing for her home, Park met with senior secretaries for the last greetings.

    Without the impeachment, Park’s five-year term was supposed to end in February next year. She was sworn in as the country’s 18th leader in February 2013.

    By law, a presidential election must be held within 60 days as the head of state is formally unseated. The election is highly likely to be set May 9.

    About 2,000 police officers were deployed near Park’s home to prevent possible violence.

    Three people died and dozens were wounded in the pro-Park demonstration near the court building Friday.

    According to a survey released Saturday, 86 percent people believe the court’s ruling was right. (Xinhua)