A local court on Friday ordered police to allow citizens to march up to 100 meters from the presidential office for the rally slated for the weekend amid public anger over the influence-peddling scandal centered on President Park Geun-hye and her confidante.

The decision marks an easing of restrictions from a week earlier when the court allowed protesters to march to 200 meters from the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae. The ruling only permits the rally from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Organizers claimed a record-high 1.5 million joined the fifth weekly rally held in central Seoul last Saturday.

Earlier in the day, the court also said protesters could be allowed within 200 meters from the presidential office from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. throughout December during weekdays.

The court added that while it respects freedom of assembly, it has decided to put some restrictions considering the protests'

impact on the area's traffic conditions and others' convenience.

Protesters took to the streets for the past five weekends since the outbreak of the scandal involving Park's longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who is suspected of exerting influence on state affairs while enjoying unlawful benefits.

The presidential office rejected all allegations of wrongdoing involving Park, claiming that the media coverage is exaggerated and based on unfounded rumors. Park said earlier in the week that she will shed more light on the charges leveled against her in the near future. Despite making three national addresses since late October, the president has never given her view on the situation, other than to hint that she had misplaced her trust in those closest to her. (Yonhap)