SOUTH KOREA’S latest mass rally demanding President Park Geun Hye’s permanent removal from office was shocked at the weekend by the self-immolation of a Buddhist monk, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The monk, who suffered third-degree burns and serious damage to vital organs, made his dramatic protest against the government’s settlement with Japan on compensation for wartime sex slaves.

Police said that the man described Ms Park in his notebook as a “traitor” over the settlement. Under the agreement, Japan pledged to fund a Seoul-based foundation to help support the victims.