Thousands march in Seoul as pressure intensifies for South Korean President to resign

[timosman]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-...-for-south-korean-president-to-resign/7979880

More than 10,000 people have filled the streets of central Seoul to protest against President Park Geun-hye, her administration and a build-up of corruption scandals that have deepened public distrust in Government.

Ms Park's tenure has been turbulent — since taking office in 2013, a number of her appointed aides have been embroiled in corruption scandals.

Under her watch, more than 300 died in the Sewol ferry disaster due to negligence in public safety.

The economy remains in limbo while unemployment rates continue to rise.

Amid this, there has also been a marked deterioration of rights, including freedom of speech, with more crackdowns on protests critical of the Government — even resulting in a blacklist of political and civilian opponents.

But the tipping point that led to the mass candlelight vigil Saturday (local time), was the emergence of a woman named Choi Soon-sil.

"I have to express my anger and I couldn't just sit at home and do nothing," said Lee Young-ha, a young college student who came to the protest with her friends.

"I think everyone, myself included, is shocked that our president is not leading the country but being controlled by someone else who is pulling all the strings."

Ms Choi's personal relationship with Ms Park has long been known, dating back around 40 years.

However, she came under the spotlight following a string of political graft allegations among Ms Park's top aides.

Rumours spread that Ms Choi had been secretly advising Ms Park on all matters, from her fashion choices to policies on North Korea, despite not have any official position in the Government.

One of South Korea's local media outlets, JTBC, reported it had discovered a tablet PC left behind by Ms Choi, which contained nearly 200 confidential state documents, including 44 of the president's speeches.

Under growing speculation that Ms Choi was leading the country behind the scenes, Ms Park apologised earlier this week over the controversy and acknowledged she sought Ms Choi's counsel and shared certain internal documents with her in the process.

Since then, calls for the president's resignation have only intensified nationwide, with the latest poll on Friday showing her approval ratings dropping to an all-time low of 14 per cent.

"This is a failed democracy," said Jeong Jin-wook, who came out to protest with his wife and four-year-old son.

"We democratically voted in Park Geun-hye but she's not our president.

"As a father, I'm worried about my son's future so I came out to try to put the country back in the right direction."
Ms Choi is accused of embezzling millions, not only of public money, but also using her influence as a presidential confidant for private donations.

She is also suspected of using her clout to get her daughter preferential treatment at one of South Korea's top universities.

This is why many suggest Saturday's rally attracted such a large crowd, because Ms Choi's alleged acts highlight ongoing injustices.

Police estimate there were between 9,000-12,000 protesters but civic groups put the figure higher, to upwards of 30,000.

Although chants for the president to resign were rampant, many in the crowd also expressed concerns that without a thorough, transparent investigation, they would not be able to root out the problems facing the nation and ensure they will never happen again.

Analysts suggest that if Ms Park resigned or was impeached, there would be a leadership vacuum, which could ultimately hurt the country — especially because it would be more beneficial for the opposition to let Ms Park ride out the rest of her presidency as a humiliated, lame duck leader in order to gain the upper hand in next year's election.

In an attempt to clean up the situation, Ms Park ordered 10 of her senior secretaries to resign over the scandal.

Ms Choi, meanwhile, returned to South Korea on Sunday, following her pledge to cooperate with the prosecution's investigation.

"The investigation has been biased so far and protected the president," a protester said over loudspeaker.

"But isn't it more important to gain the public's trust?"

 

[The Northbreather]

They're way ahead of the US if they can understand the concept of shadow government, far ahead.

I don't think most of the populace even acknowledges the possibility that our elected are puppets.

 

[RJB]

I lived in Seoul during the riots of the 1980s. They have a unique culture especially in comparison with the quiet nature of the Japanese. Most Koreans gladly speak their mind. They are influenced heavily with Confucianism, yet they also have a rebellious nature against bullies having been occupied by foreign governments for too long, including our own.

It's easy for countries other than the USA to realize that their leaders are puppets. Most Americans actually believe our president is the "Leader of the Free World."

Two really good Korean movies to watch are The Admiral: Roaring Currents. The story of Admiral Yi, arguably one of the greatest naval tacticians of all times and his simultaneous fight against Imperial Japan and his own county's bureaucracy.

The other is Flu. In Flu (fictional movie) the Korean President goes against American wishes to shoot his own people.

My family was friends with some of the protesters from the 1980s. They liked American people, but not our government. I really think we are occupying their country to stop them from invading North Korea, not the other way around.

BTW, this reminds me, I need to make more kimchi.

 

[alucard13mm]

Asians are unique in recent times. It seems like good news that Asia so far hasnt been screwed by political correctness and feminism.

 

[timosman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Confucianism

Confucianism in Korea is sometimes considered a pragmatic way of holding a nation together without the civil wars and internal dissent

 

[UWDude]

Crazy conspiracy theory. Pfft. This is impossible. Everything runs like we are told it does.

BTW, it was crazy conspiracy theorists who uncovered this. One went and stole a laptop of one of the 8 "psychics" and released the proof to the press. Teh president of South Korea then admitted it was true.

The whole world is waking up.