Former Argentine journalist Maria Chapur, seen in a 2001 video report, has acknowledged having a relationship with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. (C5N TV/Associated Press)

An Argentine woman has acknowledged having a relationship with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, saying her personal emails were leaked without her permission.

Maria Belen Chapur issued a brief statement Sunday to Buenos Aires news network C5N, saying the matter was "very painful to me, my two children, my entire family and close friends."

The 41-year-old mother of two sons said emails to Sanford sent from her Hotmail account were leaked to the South Carolina newspaper The State without her permission, and she denied media reports that the person who hacked into the account was her friend.

"I have a strong suspicion of who is responsible for this evil act that was directed at me, but also destroyed the lives of so many others," Chapur said in the statement. "But without sufficient proof, and for legal reasons, I am obligated to not reveal the name."

She said she would not make any further public statements on the matter.

"I won't speak about my private life as it just belongs to me. It has already been made too public during these last days, bringing to me even more pain," she wrote.

Chapur, a former journalist, is no longer with her husband, but it's not clear whether they are separated or divorced.

Won't quit: Sanford

Sanford admitted last week he lied to his staff members by telling them he had gone hiking on the Appalachian Trail, when he was really in Argentina to visit his mistress. Sanford did not name the woman, but The State published the emails, which identified the woman as "Maria."

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford waves to the media as he leaves his family's home on Sullivan's Island, S.C., on Thursday. The family has been staying there since Sanford admitted to the affair. (Mary Ann Chastain/Associated Press)

Some state lawmakers have called for Sanford's resignation because of the revelation, along with an admission he visited the woman during a state-funded trip to Brazil and Argentina in 2008. Sanford has said he will repay the money.

However, Sanford told The Associated Press on Sunday he will not resign.

Sanford, 49, said he thought about stepping down and away from the public eye to rebuild his life, but close spiritual and political associates urged him to instead fight to restore people's trust and finish out the 18 months left in his term.

"Resigning would be the easiest thing to do," he said Sunday. "Part of walking humbly is you've got to listen to your critics out there. And all of us will have critics, and the higher you go, I suppose, the more critics you have."

He again apologized for "letting everyone down," and said he and his wife, Jenny, are working on their marriage.

With files from The Canadian Press