Choi Soon-sil (60) apparently received prior reports on and exerted influence over state affairs including sensitive classified matter. As this news spread, statements and demonstrations on state affairs calling for a responsible explanation by President Park Geun-hye along with the introduction of a special prosecutor are spreading rapidly among universities and civic groups.
On October 26, the student body of Ewha Womans' University released a statement titled, "Is the Republic of Korea a Country Where Choi Soon-sil's Dreams Come True?" at the Seodaemun-gu campus in Seoul and said, "The president, the chief of the nation elected by the people, answered to one person, Choi Soon-sil, instead of acting as a guardian of democracy. The Republic of Korea in 2016 is facing an unprecedented crisis that threatens the very foundation of our country." The statement's title pokes fun at President Park's slogan, "A country where dreams come true" at the time of the last presidential election.

A statement was also released by Sogang University, President Park's alma mater. Over a dozen Sogang University students gathered through social network service (SNS) sites and held a press conference at the school's main gate this day. They quoted the school's motto, "Be as proud of Sogang as Sogang is proud of you" and said, "As younger alumni, we are ashamed. Do not stain Sogang's motto any more." Yi Jun-hyeok, a student at the school said, "The 'external forces' that President Park so despised depended on her and enjoyed privileges while taking advantage of her authority. It is horrifying how state affairs had been at Choi's mercy." As of noon this day, over fifty students and graduates of Sogang University have joined in support of the statement.

This day, the student council of Kyunghee University, Konkuk University, Hansung University, Pusan National University, and the Korea University of Foreign Studies also released statements on the current state affairs. The Kyunghee University student body released a statement titled, "Today, We Question Who Is the Sovereign of the Republic of Korea," and said, "The existence of a secret heavyweight involved in state affairs squarely violates Article 1 of the Constitution, which stipulates, ‘The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea shall reside in the people, and all state authority shall emanate from the people’.” They continued, "How can she be responsible for the loss and despondency, not to mention the rage and dismay that the people feel?"

On October 27, Hanyang University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul National University, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Sookmyung Women's University will also join in releasing a statement. Yonsei University, Dongguk University, Kyungpook National University, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), and Soongsil University also discussed whether to release similar statements.

Civic groups are also joining in. In Seoul, over sixty civic groups including the People's Action for Democracy held a joint press conference at Gwanghwamun Square and called for President Park's resignation saying, "President Park has already lost her right to handle state affairs." They further argued, "The Sewol tragedy, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) incident, the reintroduction of state-published history textbooks, the collusion with Japan's Abe government, the closure of the Kaesong Industrial Park ignoring established procedures, the placement of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system ignoring national interests, and the death of farmer Baek Nam-gi: as these incidents all reveal, the president has been consistent in her incompetence, irresponsibility, and arrogance throughout her term in office. Eventually, she caused people to suffer a ‘mental breakdown’ with an uncommon trick known as the Choi Soon-sil scandal."

The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy also held a press conference near Cheong Wa Dae and said, "The president's lies, efforts to conceal incidents and her excuses made the situation worse and the people's distrust of the president is at its worst ever," and demanded that the "doorknob trio" and Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Woo Byung-woo be dismissed.

The demands for the president's resignation continued also in Park's hometown, the Gyeongsangbuk-do region. This day, over eighty members of civic groups in the Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do region held a press conference in front of the February 28 Memorial Central Park and said, "Park sat in the president's position and took everything including the people's lives, safety and interests and melted it down to her own private issue. The Republic of Korea has become Choi Soon-sil's republic." They demanded that Park step down holding picket signs with the words, "Rest in Peace, Avatar Government," "Choi Soon-sil's Monopoly of State Administration! Horrible Government Must Step Down!" and "Park Geun-hye's Resignation Is the Answer."

Gyeongsangnam-do region NGOs such as the Gyeongnam Solidarity for Democracy and the Solidarity Hoping for an Open Society also called for President Park's resignation saying, "Putting the country in the power of an uncontrolled regent is unseen and unheard of, something that doesn't even occur in politically underdeveloped countries." The Jeollabuk-do chapter of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions released a statement and said, "The entire country has become the world's laughing stock. Park Geun-hye should resign."
This evening, in various places throughout Seoul there were rallies condemning the president. A candlelight vigil was held in Sinchon, and near the Donghwa Duty Free in Gwanghwamun over fifty young people gathered and took turns calling for the resignation of President Park. On the evening of October 29, two thousand people are expected to gather at Cheonggye Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul to take part in a candlelight vigil.