Park Battles Impeachment in Written Submission

Embattled President Park Geun-hye is poised to submit to the Constitutional Court her written response to charges in the National Assembly's impeachment bill.

The court has asked Park to submit her response by Friday, when her legal team is also expected to be unveiled.

A Cheong Wa Dae official on Thursday said Park "has been staying in her residence and focusing on preparing her response with her lawyers." The official said her responses are "almost" complete and are expected to be submitted "around" Friday.

It has been one week since the a National Assembly majority ratified the impeachment bill over a massive influence-peddling and corruption scandal.

Her submission will focus on debating the constitutionality of the impeachment bill rather than answering the charges in detail.

"I believe it will contain a general rebuttal of the reasons lawmakers cited for impeachment," a ruling-party official said. "She is expected to take on more specific allegations during the trial."

There have been rumors that Park is having a hard time putting together a legal team because few lawyers relish the uphill struggle and public opprobrium that could come their way.

A Cheong Wa Dae official said, "I don't know the exact size of the legal team, but I heard it will include lawyers with significant clout."

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