Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye faces questioning by prosecutors

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye has met prosecutors for questioning over a corruption scandal that led to her impeachment, stripping her of her executive privilege that allowed her avoid them for months while in office.

Park apologised to the public as she arrived at the prosecutors' office in Seoul on Tuesday, adding: "I will undergo the investigation sincerely."

Park resisted efforts to question her when she was President, but lost her immunity when judges upheld parliament's December decision to impeach her earlier this month.

Questioning by prosecutors is a key step in South Korea's judicial process before a suspect is charged. 

Park, 65, faces multiple charges from abuse of power to bribery, and is the fourth former South Korean leader to be probed or jailed over corruption scandals.

Park has been named as an accomplice Choi Soon-Sil, a confidante at the heart of a scandal that has also seen Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong arrested and charged with bribery.

Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms, including Samsung, to donate nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gains.

Park is accused of offering governmental favours to business tycoons who enriched Choi, including Lee.

The former leader is also accused of letting Choi, who has no official title or security clearance, handle a wide range of state affairs including the nomination of top officials or diplomats.

The former President has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and blamed Choi for abusing their friendship. Choi is currently on trial on charges that include abuse of power and coercion.