2016 South Korean political scandal

President Park Geun-hye corruption scandal gov December 2024 thumb|Park Geun-hye (pictured in 2013) was accused of being improperly influenced by Choi Soon-sil The 2016 South Korean political scandal, often called Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil Gate in South Korea (ko 박근혜·최순실 게이트), was a scandal that emerged around October 2016 in relation to the unusual access that Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of shaman-esque cult leader Choi Tae-min, had to President Park Geun-hye of South Korea.'Rasputin-like' friend of South Korean president returns amid protests https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/south-korea-rasputin-like-friend-president-park-geun-hye-returns The Guardian October 30, 2016Cult leader's daughter may upend South Korea presidency https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cult-leaders-daughter-may-upend-south-korea-presidency/ 31 October 2016 CBS NEWS October 30, 2016Park Geun-hye and the friendship behind S Korea's presidential crisis https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37820112 31 October 2016 BBC News October 31, 2016All the Queen's men and women http://graphics.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/Interactives/2017/03/south-korea-scandal-animated/index.html The Straits Times 21 March 2017 Widespread coverage of this South Korean political scandal began in late October 2016.https://www.vox.com/world/2016/11/30/13775920/south-korea-president-park-geun-hye-political-scandal The bizarre political scandal that just brought down South Korea's president Williams Jennifer Vox 2017-01-22https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_216623.html Investigations into 'Choi Soon-sil gate' widening October 23, 2016 The Korea Times On 29 November, Park offered to begin the process of removing herself from power.South Korea's embattled president offers to relinquish power https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKBN13O093 29 November 2016 Reuters November 29, 2016 On 9 December, Park was impeached, and then-prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn became the acting president.After impeachment, South Korea prime minister urges calm, vigilance https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKBN13Z04H 12 December 2016 Reuters December 9, 2016 On 21 December, a Special Prosecution Team led by Park Young Soo began to investigate the scandal.https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/773095.html Special Prosecutor pledges to figure out bribery, question President Park 2016-12-03 2017-01-22http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/20/0200000000AEN20161220007800315.html Independent counsel to officially launch probe into influence-peddling scandal Yonhap News Agency 2017-02-17 en On 10 March 2017, the Constitutional Court of Korea ruled to uphold the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye. All eight judges agreed that President Park abused her power, and removed her from office. A new election was held sixty days afterwards, which resulted in the victory of Democratic Party candidate Moon Jae-in. Moon won 41% of the popular vote in the election.https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/09/asia/south-korea-park-guen-hye-impeachment-upheld/index.html South Korea: Constitutional court upholds President Park's impeachment Paula Hancocks and Euan McKirdy CNN 10 March 2017 2017-03-10 The scandal caused the first impeachment of a sitting South Korean president since the impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun on 12 March 2004, and the last until Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment on 14 December 2024. Background Choi Soon-sil Choi Soon-sil Choi Soon-sil had known President Park Geun-hye since 1974, when Choi's father, Choi Tae-min, offered to counsel and advise Park as she and her family were grieving after the assassination of Park's mother, then-first lady Yuk Young-soo.AP EXPLAINS: What we know about S. Korean political scandal http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7896b5e6adf942d5ad0bc20d9603a2f8/ap-explains-what-we-know-about-s-korean-political-scandal 31 October 2016 Associated Press October 26, 2016 31 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161031213715/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7896b5e6adf942d5ad0bc20d9603a2f8/ap-explains-what-we-know-about-s-korean-political-scandal dead In 2007, a South Korean news magazine publicized a thirty-year-old Korean Central Intelligence Agency report, revealing that Choi Tae-min initially approached Park by telling her that the deceased Yuk had appeared to him in his dreams, asking him to help her daughter.http://qz.com/821612/a-rasputinesque-mystery-woman-and-a-cultish-religion-could-take-down-south-koreas-president-park-geun-hye/ A Rasputinesque mystery woman and a cultish religion could take down South Korea's president 28 October 2016 A leaked diplomatic cable from the U.S. embassy in Seoul reported subsequent rumors that Choi was a "Korean Rasputin" who "had complete control over Park's body and soul during her formative years and...his children accumulated enormous wealth as a result."https://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/10/28/2016102801342.html Leaked U.S. Embassy Cable Warned of 'Rasputin' Behind Park Lim Min-hyuk 28 October 2016 The Chosun Ilbo 28 October 2016 In response to this scrutiny, Park called Choi Tae-min a "patriot" and stated she was grateful for his counsel and comfort during "difficult times." In late 2016, reports surfaced that raised questions that Choi Soon-sil had inappropriate access to, and possible influence over, Park. Choi had allegedly been given regular reports on Park's schedule, speeches, and personnel arrangements, and had even seen classified information on secret meetings with North Korea. Choi was also alleged to have dictated, or at the least influenced, Park's decision-making on everything from her choice of handbags, to public statements, to state affairs.https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21711889-if-she-has-leave-presidential-palace-it-will-not-be-first-time-south-koreas-president South Korea's president fights impeachment and other demons 2016-12-17 The Economist 0013-0613 2017-01-22https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/767405.html 'It's actually a system where Choi Sun-sil tells the President what to do' 2017-01-22 Choi was also alleged to have used a South Korean overseas development assistance project (a convention center in Myanmar) for improper personal benefits.Strange Austin https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9781009090902/type/element Chinese Global Infrastructure 2023-12-21 Cambridge University Press 978-1-009-09090-2 Elements in Global China EPUB 10.1017/978100909090258–59 Choi was indicted for extorting bribes, abusing power illegally and leaking classified documentshttps://www.wsj.com/articles/south-korean-president-park-played-key-role-in-scandal-prosecutors-say-1479619377 South Korean President Aided Extortion Scheme: Prosecutors Gale Alastair 2016-11-20 Nam In-Soo Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 2017-01-22 and also accused of having influenced Ewha Womans University to change their admission criteria in order for her daughter Chung Yoo-ra to be given a place there.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/south-korea-rasputin-like-friend-president-park-geun-hye-returns 'Rasputin-like' friend of South Korean president returns amid protests 30 October 2016 The Guardian McCurry Justin Censorship and early reporting The Park administration sought to influence the media in various ways, including through business ties with media executives, and had established a commission to harass and prosecute social media critics, including those who held her accountable for the handling of the 2014 sinking of MV Sewol, in which 304 civilians died.2017-02-24 South Korea Country report Freedom in the World 2015 https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/south-korea 2023-04-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20170224080057/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/south-korea 2017-02-24 Choi's name had been completely obscured from public records through a variety of means. In July 2016, Park's illegal business ties to Choi Soon-sil were uncovered by a reporter working for Chosun Broadcasting Company, who cornered Choi and attempted to secure an interview, but his report was spiked by executives at the company. In September, more cautious stories were printed by newspapers, alluding to Park's shady business deals, and on 20 September, The Hankyoreh was able to independently uncover Choi's name by interviewing employees at a massage parlor. The managing editor of The Hankyoreh published a public appeal for Chosun Broadcasting Company to air the spiked story.NHK, November 19, 2018.　アナザーストーリーズ「パク・クネ 弾劾の舞台裏～その時 韓国は沸騰した～」 Following this story, the investigation of Choi deepened, but her exact relationship with Park was still unclear. Discovery of Choi Soon-sil's tablet computer Reporters covering the story for JTBC Newsroom located a rental office in Germany which had previously been temporarily used by Choi. There, they retrieved a Samsung tablet computer which contained her login information. They found that Choi had received drafts of 44 presidential speeches on the tablet before she abandoned it. One of the most troubling of these was a Microsoft Word document which contained a corrected draft of a speech made by Park in Germany on 28 March 2014.http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=tvh&sid2=742&oid=437&aid=0000135060 [Independence] Presidents '44 speeches ...' to secret 'Dresden' Naver News 2017-09-11 To avoid plausible deniability by Park, they initially reported on 19 October that anonymous sources had rumored Choi was editing Park's speeches. Once Park responded by denying that any of her speeches had been sent to private individuals, JTBC publicized their possession of the tablet on 24 October. The following morning, Park admitted that Choi had been acting as her unofficial, unpaid personal assistant.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gvH2OeB2UI President Park apologizes for sharing documents with aide Arirang TV 2016-10-25 2024-08-19 The coverage of Choi subsequently spread to all media. Media outlets reported that Choi and Park's senior staff members, including both Ahn Jong-bum and Jeong Ho-sung, have allegedly used their influence to extort ₩77.4 billion (US$60 million) from Korean chaebols—family-owned large business conglomerates—and set up two cultural and sports-related foundations, Mir and K-sports foundations.https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/768777.html ko:박 대통령 독대한 대기업들 미르·K 출연금 유독 많았다 3 November 2016 The Hankyorehhttp://news.donga.com/3/00/20161101/81099663/1 ko:[단독]"미르-K스포츠재단 모금, 안종범 수석이 지시했다" November 2016 The Dong-A Ilbohttp://fortune.com/2016/12/05/samsung-hyundai-south-korea-president-scandal/ Heads of Samsung, Hyundai and Others Probed Over South Korea Scandal Fortune 2017-01-22 National fencer Ko Young-tae, who was a close friend of Choi Soon-sil, is suspected of being involved in the management of shell corporations The Blue K and Widec Sports. Choi set up these companies in Korea and Germany allegedly to funnel money from the foundations.Kim Bo-eun 28 October 2016 Choi Soon-sil 'willing to face investigation' https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_217055.html The Korea Times Seoul 28 October 2016 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38259068 Park Geun-hye impeached: Did a puppy bring down South Korea's president? BBC News 9 December 2016https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_217091.html Scandal unveils Choi Soon-sil's 'boy toy' 30 October 2016 Choi gave an interview to the Segye Ilbohttps://www.segye.com/newsView/20161027000040 ko:[최순실 단독 인터뷰] "연설문 수정, 신의로 한 일인데…국가 기밀인줄 몰랐다" 27 October 2016 Segye Ilbo ko 2024-08-19 saying she was not leaving Germany for health reasons, denied creating a secret group called the "Eight Fairies", denied owning the tablet computer, and denied knowingly receiving classified information.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/south-koreas-presidency-on-the-brink-of-collapse-as-scandal-grows/2016/10/28/7639a2cc-1700-4ef7-a3a4-661b3ff989c4_story.html South Korea's presidency 'on the brink of collapse' as scandal grows Anna Fifield Yoonjung Seo Washington Post 29 October 2016 2024-08-19 Arrests 2016 31 October – Choi was arrested and summoned to the prosecutor's office for questioning.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37824360 South Korea scandal: Choi apologises for 'unpardonable crime' BBC News 31 October 2016 2 November – Top presidential aides Ahn Jong-bum and Jeong Ho-sung were arrested for abusing power and aiding Choi.http://news.donga.com/rss/feed/3/all/20161102/81140663/1?gid=81140910&srev=1&regdate=20161103 https://web.archive.org/web/20161104142326/http://news.donga.com/rss/feed/3/all/20161102/81140663/1?gid=81140910&srev=1&regdate=20161103 dead 2016-11-04 ko:검찰, 안종범 전 정책조정수석 긴급체포…서울남부구치소로 이송 The Dong-A Ilbohttps://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-south-korea-park-20161106-story.html 2 former aides of President Park arrested as South Korea scandal widens Associated Press 2016-11-06 Los Angeles Times 2017-01-22 The Supreme Prosecutors' Office of Korea (SPO), in laying charges against Choi and two former presidential aides, have alleged that President Park colluded with the three in certain criminal activities. The president will be questioned by prosecutors, the first time this has occurred with a serving South Korean president.Agence France-Presse Choi-gate prosecutors accuse South Korean president of collusion https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/20/choi-gate-prosecutors-accuse-south-korean-president-of-collusion The Guardian 20 November 2016https://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/11/20/2016112000593.html ko:최순실, 딸 친구 부모 민원 들어주고 1000만원 샤넬백 등 5000만원 챙겨 22 July 2020 The Chosun Ilbohttps://news.nate.com/view/20161120n10972 檢, 헌정사상 첫 현직 대통령 피의자 입건…"3명과 공모범행"(종합) Nate News 8 November – Award-winning music video director Cha Eun-taek was arrested at the Incheon International Airport upon his return from China. He was accused of "meddling in state-led projects and exerting undue influence in the culture sector".https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20161108000965 Cha Eun-taek, a key figure of Choi scandal, arrested at airport The Korea Heraldhttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38123164 K-pop video director Cha Eun-taek charged in South Korea corruption scandal BBC News 27 November 2016 31 December – Chief of the National Pension Fund and former health & welfare minister Moon Hyung-pyo was arrested for pressuring the state fund to back a major merger deal for Samsung C&T.http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/30/0200000000AEN20161230001900315.html S. Korea's pension fund chief formally arrested in corruption probe Yonhap News Agency en 2017-01-22 2017 2 January – Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, was arrested in Denmark for staying in the country illegally.Henley Jon 2017-01-02 Denmark awaits Seoul's extradition request for Choi Soon-sil's daughter https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/02/daughter-of-south-koreas-female-rasputin-arrested-in-denmark 2017-01-22 The Guardian en-GB 0261-30772017-01-02 South Korea scandal: Daughter of Choi Soon-sil arrested https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38487037 2017-01-22 BBC News en-GB22 March 2017 Danskfængslet kvinde udløste sydkoreansk korruptionsskandale https://nyheder.tv2.dk/udland/2017-03-22-danskfaengslet-kvinde-udloeste-sydkoreansk-korruptionsskandale live https://web.archive.org/web/20241221225819/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/udland/2017-03-22-danskfaengslet-kvinde-udloeste-sydkoreansk-korruptionsskandale 21 December 2024 21 December 2024 TV 2 3 January – Ewha Womans University professor and renowned writer Ryu Chul-kyun (pen name Yi In-hwa) was arrested for doing the homework of Chung Yoo-ra.Ha Jong-Dae 2017-01-03 The collapse of 'The Eternal Empire' http://english.donga.com/Home/3/all/26/816953/1 The Dong-A Ilbo 11 January – Former chief of admissions at Ewha Womans University Namkung Gon was arrested for perjury charges.13 January 2017 Spate of arrests in Ewha University 'favours' scandal https://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20170113111318422 12 January – Former Culture Minister Kim Jong-deok and two other former senior officials were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the blacklisting.Ex-Culture Minister Arrested for Artist Blacklist http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Dm&No=124579&current_page=9 2017-01-22 KBS World Radio En 2 February 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015929/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Dm&No=124579&current_page=9 dead 18 January – Former dean of Ewha Womans University College of Science and Industry Convergence Kim Kyung-Sook was arrested for charges of granting special admission for Chung Yoo-ra.Lee Kyung-min 2017-01-18 Ex-Ewha president grilled over favors for Choi's daughter https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2017/01/251_222333.html The Korea Times2017-01-18 Former Dean of college Kim Kyung-sook arrested, and the next target would be Choi Kyung-hee https://www.sisaplusnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=16157 21 January – Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun was arrested for drawing up a blacklist of cultural figures critical of Park. Former Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Ki-Choon was also arrested for masterminding the blacklist containing 10,000 cultural figures considered "left-leaning" who were critical of President Park.Kim Ki-choon and Culture Minister arrest warrants issued over cultural blacklist https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/779696.html 2017-01-222017-01-20 Fresh turmoil in South Korea as minister arrested over 'arts blacklist' https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/21/fresh-turmoil-in-south-korea-as-minister-arrested-over-arts-blacklist The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 ReutersChoe Sang-hun 2017-01-20 South Korea Arrests 2 Presidential Aides Over Blacklist of Artists https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/world/asia/south-korea-park-geun-hye-artist-blacklist-culture-minister.html 2017-01-22 The New York Times 0362-4331 Ewha Womans University Professor Lee In-sung was also arrested.최 송아 2017-01-21 ko:'정유라 과제 해주고 학점 특혜' 이인성 이대 교수 구속 http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2017/01/20/0200000000AKR20170120192800004.HTML 2017-01-22 Yonhap News Agency ko-KR 15 February – Former Ewha Womans University president Choi Kyung Hee was arrested over charges of granting admission and grading favours to Chung Yoo-ra, a daughter of Choi Soon-sil.Ex-university chief arrested in corruption probe http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/02/15/0200000000AEN20170215001900315.html 2017-02-15 Yonhap News Agency en 16 February – Vice president of Samsung, Lee Jae-yong (JY Lee), was arrested on bribery charges. Mr. Lee is accused of paying $36 million in bribes to Choi Soon-sil, in return for political favours.Choe Sang-hun 2017-02-16 Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Heir, Is Arrested on Bribery Charges https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/world/asia/korea-samsung-lee-jae-yong.html 2017-02-17 The New York Times 0362-43312017-02-17 Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong arrested in South Korea https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38997370 2017-02-17 BBC News en-GB In November 2017 as part of further investigations into corruption during the Park presidency, two former National Intelligence Service directors Nam Jae-joon and Lee Byung-kee were arrested for embezzlement and bribery. They were arrested for illegally funneling tens of thousands of U.S. dollars a month from their spy agency's secret budget for Park's private use through her presidential office budget.17 November 2017 Two ex-NIS chiefs arrested in bribery scandal https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171117000598 11 February 2018 The Korea Herald On 30 March 2017, the Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant for Park's arrest on corruption charges. She was arrested later that day.Ex-South Korean president Park Geun-hye arrested https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39449681 30 March 2017 BBC 30 March 2017 Parliamentary hearing On 6 December, chiefs of South Korea's major conglomerates (chaebols) came to the National Assembly to attend the first parliamentary hearing on the scandal involving Park Geun-hye and her long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil. It happened for the first time since 1988.https://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20161206000891 [ASSEMBLY HEARING] Tension, disappointment engulf largest hearing on chaebol ko 2017-01-22 Participants included Samsung Electronics Vice Chair Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Chair Chung Mong-koo, Lotte Group Chair Shin Dong-bin, SK Group Chair Chey Tae-won and the heads of CJ, LG, Hanwha and Hanjin, The Federation of Korean Industries.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-12/06/c_135883644.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20161207154124/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-12/06/c_135883644.htm dead December 7, 2016 Chiefs of S.Korean conglomerates attend parliamentary hearing for presidential scandal 6 December 2016 Xinhua In the hearing, presidents of the chaebols told the parliament that they were not seeking favours when they made contributions to two foundations at the heart of a scandal that appeared poised to bring down Park.http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/samsung-group-leader-vows-to-avoid-future-political-scandals South Korea's corporate chiefs deny seeking favours for donations during parliament hearing 6 December 2016 Straits Times On 7 December 2016, Park's former aides, including ex-chief of staff Kim Ki-choon and former Vice Culture Minister Kim Jong, testified in the 2nd parliamentary hearing about suspicions that Choi Soon-sil meddled in government affairs.http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/07/0200000000AEN20161207000852315.html Parliament holds second round of hearings on Choi scandal 2016-12-07 On 14 December 2016, the Special Committee of the Parliament held a 3rd hearing, focused on solving the mystery surrounding Park's 7-hour public absence on the day of the 2014 Sewol ferry sinking.http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/14/0200000000AEN20161214001353315.html?m (3rd LD) Parliament hearing focuses on Park's alleged inaction during ferry disaster Yonhap News Agency en 2017-01-22 On 15 December 2016, the Special Committee held a 4th hearing to question the allegations over Mir and K-Sports foundation and how Chung Yoo-ra cheated her way through Ewha Womans University. Jeong Hyun-sik, a former K-Sports head, and former Ewha Womans University president Choi Kyung-hee and other affiliated people testified in the hearing.http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/15/0200000000AEN20161215001554315.html?did=2106m (4th LD) New allegations emerge from corruption hearing Yonhap News Agency en 2017-01-22 On 22 December 2016, a 5th hearing was held to question former Presidential Secretary Woo Byung-woo and former presidential nurse Cho Yeo-ok.https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20161222000208 Parliament holds fifth round of hearings to question former Park aide 2016-12-22 en 2017-01-22https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/12/116_220637.html [LIVE] Ex-presidential secretary, nurse quizzed over Park Geun-hye scandal 2016-12-22 The Korea Times en 2017-01-22 On 26 December 2016, special committee members of the National Assembly held a 6th hearing in a prison and met Choi Soon-sil in her detention cell; she repeatedly refused to attend a parliamentary hearing. She denied most of her allegations over the influence-peddling scandal.http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Po&No=124197&current_page=9 Choi Denies Charges at Controversial Detention Cell Interrogation 2016-12-27 2017-01-22 2017-02-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202014910/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Po&No=124197&current_page=9 deadhttp://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?No=124186&id=Po Lawmakers Interrogate Choi at Detention Cell 2016-12-27 2017-01-22 2017-02-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015046/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?No=124186&id=Po dead On 9 January 2017, a 7th hearing was held to question Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun, former chief of admissions at Ewha Womans University Namkung Gon, K-Sports Foundation Chairman Chung Dong Chun, and a staffer at the presidential security office Ku Soon-sung. The hearing confirmed that a blacklist for left-leaning artists existed.https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/01/09/South-Korea-official-admits-to-blacklist-of-artists-critical-of-Park-Geun-hye/8491483987469/ South Korea official admits to blacklist of artists critical of Park Geun-hye UPI 2017-02-17 enhttps://m.koreatimes.co.kr/pad/news/view.jsp?req_newsidx=221693 Culture minister admits to existence of blacklist The Korea Times 2017-02-17 ko Public apology and presidential approval rating falls thumb|right|Park Geun-hye's presidential approval ratings fell to as low as 4% - Gallup Korea thumb|right|Park Geun-hye Approval ratings by age On 25 October 2016, Park publicly acknowledged her close ties with Choi and apologized to the public. On 28 October, Park dismissed key members of her top office staff while her approval ratings fell to 5%. Her approval rating ranged from 1 to 3% for Korean citizens under 60 years of age, while it remained higher at 13% for the over 60 years age group.http://m.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/Mobile/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002257639#cb President Park breaks YS's record, approval rating at 5 percent November 6, 2016 OhmyNewsSee reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS March 2025 It was the worst-ever presidential approval rating in Korean history and even lower than the 6% approval rating of former president Kim Young-sam, who was widely blamed for failing the Korean economy, which eventually led to the Asian Financial Crisis.ko:데일리 오피니언 제234호(2016년 11월 1주) Daily Opinion No. 234 (November 1, 2016) Gallup Korea http://www.gallup.co.kr/gallupdb/reportContent.asp?seqNo=787&pagePos=1&selectYear=&search=&searchKeyword=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_217058.html Park orders secretaries to resign over 'Choi Soon-sil scandal' October 28, 2016 The Korea Times On 4 November, Park apologized for the second time. On 29 November, Park offered to resign as president and invited the National Assembly to arrange a transfer of power. The opposition parties rejected the offer, accusing Park of attempting to avoid the process of impeachment.McCurry Justin South Korea's president calls on parliament to arrange her exit https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/29/south-koreas-president-calls-on-parliament-to-arrange-her-exit The Guardian 29 November 2016 29 November 2016 Protests 2016–17 South Korean protests thumb|Protest held in November 2016 The revelations about the relationship between Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil caused mass demonstrations in Seoul.http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=015&aid=0003676785 전국에서 '최순실 의혹' 진상규명·대통령 퇴진 요구 집회http://www.tbs.seoul.kr/news/bunya.do?method=daum_html2&typ_800=6&seq_800=10182240 ko:'분노한 민심'…서울 도심 '박근혜 하야' 촉구 대규모 집회 Protesters called for the resignation of Park Geun-hye.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKCN12T08V Thousands protest in South Korea, demand president quit over scandal Reuters 29 October 2016 Kim Jack On 12 November, more than one million citizens participated in the protests at Gwanghwamun Square close to the presidential residence demanding President Park's resignation or impeachment.https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/11/116_218065.html ONE MILLION protesters storm Seoul's streets, demanding Park's resignation 2016-11-12 The Korea Times en 2017-01-22 On 19 November, another one million people participated in the national protest after Park refused to help the investigation of her abuse of power.https://news.nate.com/view/20161120n00937 ko:들불로 번진 2주연속 '100만 촛불혁명'…26일 300만 예고 Nate Newshttps://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/771080.html Dreaming of a new world, one million candles again burn nationwide The Hankyoreh On 26 November, more than 2 million people participated in the protest, calling for the resignation of Park.https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/26/asia/south-korea-mass-protests/index.html South Korean protesters demand President Park's resignation Madison Park CNN 26 November 2016 2017-01-22 Protests went on, and on 21 January 2017, a 13th protest was held in Seoul with more than 200,000 attendees.2017-01-21 Protesters hold 13th weekly rally to demand Park's ouster https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170121003400315 Impeachment process Impeachment of Park Geun-hye On 5 December 2016, three opposition parties agreed to introduce a joint impeachment motion against Park. The motion, which was signed by 171 of 300 lawmakers, was put to a vote on Friday, 9 December 2016, and passed with 234 out of 300 votes, a tally much greater than the required 2/3 majority and which included many of Park's own ruling party.https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-koreas-opposition-parties-move-to-impeach-president-park-geun-hye-1480759872 South Korea's Opposition Parties Move to Impeach President Park Geun-hye December 3, 2016 Wall Street Journal Court hearing and trial On 19 December, Choi Soon-sil attended the first hearing in the trial of Park in Seoul District Court. In the first hearing, prosecutors say Choi used their relationship to pressure companies to donate to two foundations and siphoned off money for personal use. However, she denies the allegations that she influenced the president.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38363075 South Korea corruption suspect Choi Soon-sil in court December 19, 2016 BBChttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/19/choi-soon-sil-park-geun-hye-confidante-denies-tria/ Choi Soon-sil, Park Geun-hye confidante, denies in trial that she extorted money December 19, 2016 Washington Times On 5 January 2017, the constitutional court began its first trial regarding Park's impeachment.https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/south-koreas-constitutional-court-starts-president-park-geun-hyes-impeachment-trial-1599402 South Korea's Constitutional Court starts President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial Divya Kishore January 5, 2017 On 16 January Choi Soon-sil testified herself in the Constitutional Court and denied any wrongdoings.http://www.efe.com/efe/english/portada/choi-soon-sil-testifies-in-impeachment-trial-of-president-park/50000260-3149655 Choi Soon-sil testifies in impeachment trial of President Park www.efe.com en 2017-01-22http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/01/16/51/0200000000AEN20170116002752315F.html (2nd LD) Choi denies all wrongdoing in Park impeachment trial Yonhap News Agency en 2017-01-22 The Constitutional Court declared that it would hold the final pleading from Park on 24 February, suggesting that the court would make a decision on the impeachment trial before 13 March.https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170216000825 Court to wrap out impeachment pleadings on Feb. 24 2017-02-16 2017-02-17 en On 10 March, the court issued a unanimous ruling, confirming the impeachment proposal and removing Park from office.Park Geun-hye: Court ousts South Korea's scandal-hit president https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39202936 10 March 2017 BBC News Sentencing Choi Soon-sil was convicted on 23 June 2017 of conspiring with several officials and professors of Ewha Womans University to get her daughter admitted into the university despite not meeting the qualification criteria. She was sentenced to three years of imprisonment. The university's former professor Choi Kyung-hee as well as a former dean were both sentenced to two years of imprisonment, while another official was sentenced to 1 1 2 years in prison. Three other professors received a suspended sentence while two others were fined.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/world/asia/south-korea-choi-soon-sil-sentence-prison.html In South Korea, Confidante of Ousted President Gets 3 Years in Prison 23 June 2017 New York Times Choe Sang-hun 23 June 2017 On 13 February 2018, the Seoul Central District Court also found Choi guilty of abuse of power, bribery, and interfering in government business The Korea Herald 13 February 2018 Choi Soon-sil sentenced to 20 years in prison https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180213000841 and sentenced her to 20 years in prison and a fine of ₩18 billion (US$16.6 million). On 27 July 2017, former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-Choon was sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in blacklisting those who were deemed leftist artists.The Korea Herald 27 July 2017 6 Ex-Officials in South Korea Are Sentenced for Blacklisting Artists https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/world/asia/south-korea-park-aides-artists-blacklist.html His prison term was increased to four years on 23 January 2018.The Japan Times 23 January 2018 South Korea court jails ex-culture minister over artist blacklist https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/23/asia-pacific/crime-legal-asia-pacific/south-korea-court-jails-ex-culture-minister-artist-blacklist/#.Ws60073Bo0M Former Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun was sentenced to one year for perjury, which was suspended for two years. Another former Culture Minister Kim Jong-deok and former Vice Culture Minister Jung Kwan-joo were also sentenced to two years and 18 months in prison, respectively.http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Dm&No=128997&current_page=9 Fmr Presidential Chief of Staff Sentenced to 3 Yrs in Prison over Artists' Blacklist 25 August 2017 Korean Broadcasting System 25 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170825191925/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Dm&No=128997&current_page=9 dead Cho was given a prison term of two years on 23 January 2018 for her involvement in the blacklisting of artists. Samsung Electronics vice-chairman Lee Jae-Yong was convicted on 25 August 2017 for bribery, embezzlement, perjury, and other charges relating to payments and promises by Samsung worth ₩43.3 billion (about $40 million). This was partially because the company was manipulated and blackmailed by Park.Cain Geoffrey 2020 The Samsung Family Empire https://strangersguide.com/articles/samsung-family-empire/ 2023-02-26 Stranger's Guide en-US He was sentenced to five years in prison.https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/south-korea/samsung-heir-guilty-of-bribery-sentenced-to-five-years-jail-1.2079753 Samsung heir guilty of bribery, sentenced to five years jail Agence-France Presse 25 August 2017 Gulf News His prison term was reduced to 2 1 2 years suspended prison term on 5 February 2018, allowing him to be released.https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-south-korea-samsung-appeal-20180205-story.html Samsung heir freed from prison after court reduces sentence in corruption case Associated Press 5 February 2018 Los Angeles Times He was later returned to prison after he was sentenced to imprisonment over the same case again on 18 January 2021, being jailed for 2 1 2 years.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-18/samsung-vice-chairman-jay-lee-sentenced-to-two-and-a-half-years/13067784 Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison over bribery and embezzlement ABC News 18 January 2021Lee Jae Yong: Samsung heir gets prison term for bribery scandal January 18, 2021 BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55674712 Shin Dong-bin, the chairman of Lotte, was sentenced to 2 1 2 years in prison for offering a bribe of $6.5 million to Choi and former president Park on 13 February 2018.https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/world/asia/choi-soon-sil-park-geun-hye-south-korea.html South Korean Court Sentences Ex-President's Confidante to 20 Years 13 February 2018 New York Times His sentence was suspended for four years on 5 October, allowing him to be released.https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-koreas-appeals-court-suspends-lotte-group-chiefs-jail-sentence-yonhap Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin freed as court suspends corruption sentence The Straits Times 5 October 2018 On 6 April 2018, former president Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 24 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of 18 billion won. She was found guilty of 16 of 18 charges against her.https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/04/251_246856.html [BREAKING] Park sentenced to 24 years in jail 6 April 2018 The Korea Times On 20 July 2018 Park was sentenced to 8 additional years in prison. This verdict was in relation to a separate trial but similar to the main trial due to it involving illegal money laundering and illegal favours. She was found guilty of money laundering and bribery related to the NIS scandal where three former NIS directors illegally funneled NIS funds to her personal office for her personal use without any oversight from the government.https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/south-korea-court-hands-president-park-8-years-jail-180720062410283.html South Korea court hands ex-president Park 8 more years in jail www.aljazeera.com 24 August 2018 On 24 August 2018, Park was sentenced to 25 years in prison, an increase of 1 year, for the main Choi Soon-sil-related charges. This was due to an appeal filed by the prosecutor's office.https://www.sbs.com.au/news/ex-south-korea-leader-park-geun-hye-gets-25-year-term Ex-South Korea leader Park Geun-hye gets 25-year term www.sbs.com.au 24 August 2018 But on 24 December 2021, it was announced that she would receive a pardon on compassionate grounds from South Korean president Moon Jae-in. She was released from prison on 31 December and returned home three months later on 24 March 2022. Other figures sentenced In June 2017, the former Minister of Health and Welfare and former National Pension Service Director Moon Hyung-pyo was sentenced to 2 1 2 years in prison for his role in pressuring Samsung to approve a merger and abusing the power of his two offices. His charges were connected to the Samsung-Park scandal.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-samsung-pensions/former-south-korean-minister-jailed-over-role-in-samsung-merger-yonhap-idUSKBN18Z0SM Former South Korean minister jailed over role in Samsung merger: Yonhap www.reuters.com 8 June 2017 11 February 2018 In July 2017, former presidential secretary for cultural and sports affairs Kim So-young, was sentenced to an 18-month term suspended for two years. Former senior presidential secretary for education and culture and former vice culture minister Kim Sang-ryul as well as former presidential secretary for political affairs Shin Dong-chul, were sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.Kim Ki-choon receives 3 years over blacklist Retrieved 12 April 2018. In January 2018, former Minister of Culture Cho Yoon-sun was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the blacklisting scandal. She was earlier allowed to leave prison in July 2017 due to her prior lesser perjury charge being changed to a suspended sentence.https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2130123/former-south-korean-culture-minister-jailed-over-blacklist Former South Korean culture minister jailed over artist blacklist www.scmp.com 23 January 2018 11 February 2018 In June 2018, three former National Intelligence Service directors (Lee Byung-kee, Lee Byung-ho, and Nam Jae-joon) who served in the Park administration were found guilty of bribing related to the 2016 Park administration scandals and sentenced to prison. They illegally transferred money from the NIS budget to Park's presidential office without any approval or oversight from the National Assembly. This illegally obtained money was used by Park and her associates for private use and to pay bribes.AFP-JIJI South Korea jails ex-spy chiefs for bribing former President Park Geun-hye https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/15/asia-pacific/south-korea-jails-ex-spy-chiefs-bribing-former-president-park-geun-hye/#.Wyvk7lPP1PY The Japan Times https://web.archive.org/web/20180621174811/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/15/asia-pacific/south-korea-jails-ex-spy-chiefs-bribing-former-president-park-geun-hye/#.Wyvk7lPP1PY 21 June 2018 Seoul dead In addition to the three former NIS directors who were sentenced to prison former Finance Minister Choi Kyoung-hwan was sentenced to five years related to the NIS bribery scandal.Ex-finance minister gets 5 years in prison for bribery https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/06/29/0200000000AEN20180629003651315.html Yonhap News Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20180701111723/https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/06/29/0200000000AEN20180629003651315.html 1 July 2018 dead See also Assassination of Park Chung Hee Corruption in South Korea Mun Se-gwang (man who assassinated Park's mother) Grigori Rasputin List of political scandals in South Korea Impeachment South Korea References 30em External links Presidential scandal South Korean presidential scandal Category:Presidency of Park Geun-hye Category:Political scandals in South Korea