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{{expand Korean|최순실 게이트|date=October 2016}} {{expand Korean|최순실 게이트|date=October 2016}}


The '''2016 South Korean political scandal''' (aka '''Choi Soon-sil gate''' or '''Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil gate''') is a ]n ] involving the influence of ], the daughter of a ]-esque cult leader, over president ]. Choi Soon-sil had no official post inside the government, yet she was deeply involved in every single decision-making process of President Park. ] (The Blue House) staff and Pro-Park lawmakers are alleged for conniving the wrongdoings of Choi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_216623.html|date=October 23, 2016|title=Investigations into 'Choi Soon-sil gate' widening|website=The Korea Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Swirling Scandal Involving Shamanistic Cult Threatens S. Korean President|url=http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/29/499864915/swirling-scandal-involving-shamanistic-cult-threatens-s-korean-president|work=NPR|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref>
The '''2016 South Korean political scandal''' (aka '''Choi Soon-sil gate''' or '''Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil gate''') is a ]n ] involving the influence of ], the daughter of a ]-esque cult leader, over president ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_216623.html|date=October 23, 2016|title=Investigations into 'Choi Soon-sil gate' widening|website=The Korea Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea's leader proposes revising presidential system|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6c261436c86747c5a5985341948c5540/south-korea-leader-proposes-revising-presidential-system|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Associated Press|date=October 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3025312|title=Key suspects still at large in Choi Sun-sil probe|date=October 25, 2016|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/767405.html|date=October 26, 2016|title=‘It’s actually a system where Choi Sun-sil tells the President what to do’|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/821612/a-rasputinesque-mystery-woman-and-a-cultish-religion-could-take-down-south-koreas-president-park-geun-hye/|date=October 28, 2016|title=A Rasputinesque mystery woman and a cultish religion could take down South Korea’s president|website=Quartz}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea Prosecutors Raid President’s Office Over Scandal|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-29/south-korean-prosecutors-raid-presidential-office-over-scandal|work=Bloomberg|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Swirling Scandal Involving Shamanistic Cult Threatens S. Korean President|url=http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/29/499864915/swirling-scandal-involving-shamanistic-cult-threatens-s-korean-president|work=NPR|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Female Rasputin' at eye of S Korean political scandal: 5 things to know|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/female-rasputin-at-eye-of-s-korean-political-scandal-5-things-to/3245652.html|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Channel Newsasia|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea’s presidency ‘on the brink of collapse’ as scandal grows|url=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|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Washington Post|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Rasputin-like' friend of South Korean president returns amid protests|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/south-korea-rasputin-like-friend-president-park-geun-hye-returns|work=The Guardian|date=October 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cult leader’s daughter may upend South Korea presidency|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cult-leaders-daughter-may-upend-south-korea-presidency/|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=CBS NEWS|date=October 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Korean scandal: President Park's friend Choi returns to Seoul|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/video/south-korean-scandal-president-park-s-friend-choi-returns-to/3247866.html|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Channel NewsAsia|date=30 Oct 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=S Korean scandal: President Park's friend Choi returns to Seoul|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37814874|accessdate=October 31, 2016|work=BBC News|date=October 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Park Geun-hye and the friendship behind S Korea's presidential crisis|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37820112|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=BBC News|date=October 31, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Woman at center of South Korea political crisis begs forgiveness|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKBN12V0FL|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Reuters|date=October 31, 2016}}</ref>


When Park Geun-hye became the president-elect of Korea in 2012, Choi Soon-sil's influence over Park's decision-making became a nationwide problem.<ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea's leader proposes revising presidential system|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6c261436c86747c5a5985341948c5540/south-korea-leader-proposes-revising-presidential-system|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Associated Press|date=October 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea’s presidency ‘on the brink of collapse’ as scandal grows|url=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|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Washington Post|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea Prosecutors Raid President’s Office Over Scandal|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-29/south-korean-prosecutors-raid-presidential-office-over-scandal|work=Bloomberg|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref> Choi gained huge profit by abusing the power President Park had. With her husband ], moviemaker Cha-Eun Taek <!--Note: Probably should be spelled "Cha Eun-taek", as that's used elsewhere on WP.--> and lover ], Choi forced The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and ]s (The list Includes Samsung, Hyundai Motors, SK, LG, Posco, Lotte, GS, Hanwha, KT, LS, CJ, Doosan, Korean Air, Kumho Asiana Group, Daerim, Shinsegye, Booyoung, Amorepacific) to pay tens of millions of dollars to K-Sports Foundation and MIR Foundation, which she actually had control over.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top conglomerate chiefs named witnesses in parliamentary probe|url=http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20161122000531|date=November 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Female Rasputin' at eye of S Korean political scandal: 5 things to know|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/female-rasputin-at-eye-of-s-korean-political-scandal-5-things-to/3245652.html|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Channel Newsasia|date=October 29, 2016}}</ref> Companies such as Hanjin Shipping which refused to pay their share were severely punished by the government. Choi forced companies to employ her close friends in conglomerates.<ref>{{cite web|title=Choi soon-sil meets Hanjin President Cho Yang-ho to demand funding|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.kr/2016/11/16/--_n_12998836.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/821612/a-rasputinesque-mystery-woman-and-a-cultish-religion-could-take-down-south-koreas-president-park-geun-hye/|date=October 28, 2016|title=A Rasputinesque mystery woman and a cultish religion could take down South Korea’s president|website=Quartz}}</ref>
Widespread coverage of this began in late October 2016.

Choi also forced ] to change its rules to grant special admission for her daughter ], who is a ] athlete.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cult leader’s daughter may upend South Korea presidency|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cult-leaders-daughter-may-upend-south-korea-presidency/|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=CBS NEWS|date=October 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/767405.html|date=October 26, 2016|title=‘It’s actually a system where Choi Sun-sil tells the President what to do’|website=]}}</ref> Her nephew Jang Si-ho was granted 0.55 million dollars as a government subsidy in an inappropriate way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.seoul.kr/news/bunya.do?method=daum_html&typ_800=P&seq_800=10185972}}</ref> Choi soon-sil's businesses mainly focused on sports and culture including dressage, fencing, and K-Sports. Choi's ultimate aim was to use the ] as a gateway to earn billions of dollars necessary for building her own business empire.<ref>{{cite news|title=Politicians' foul play hurts sports|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2016/11/136_218585.html|publisher=koreatimes}}</ref>

Widespread coverage of the scandal began in late October 2016, and will continue to dominate the Korean media until President Park steps down. President Park refused to admit her accused charges and declared that she will not step down voluntarily. Impeachment process will soon begin after 2/3 of lawmakers agree to pass the impeachment bill.<ref>{{cite news|title=Campaign for impeachment votes begins|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20161122000788|date=2016-11-22}}</ref>


==Background== ==Background==
{{Main||Choi Soon-sil}} {{Main article||Choi Soon-sil}}
Choi Soon-sil has known President Park since the 1970s when her father, ], was then-president ]'s mentor as the family was still grieving from the assassination of then first-lady ]. <ref>{{cite news|title=AP EXPLAINS: What we know about S. Korean political scandal|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7896b5e6adf942d5ad0bc20d9603a2f8/ap-explains-what-we-know-about-s-korean-political-scandal|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Associated Press|date=October 26, 2016}}</ref> Choi at that time claimed that the shamanic leader can channel communication to her dead mother. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/world/asia/south-korea-choi-soon-sil.html?_r=0|title=A Presidential Friendship Has Many South Koreans Crying Foul|date=October 27, 2016|website=New York Times}}</ref> Choi Soon-sil has known Park Geun-Hye since the 1970s when Park Geun-hye was a daughter of Korea Republic's former strongman ]. Park Geun-hye took over the First Lady's role after First lady ] was assassinated in 1974, and ], father of Choi soon-sil introduced his daughter to Park Geun-hye after Choi Tae-min became acquainted with Park Geun-hye.<ref>{{cite news|title=AP EXPLAINS: What we know about S. Korean political scandal|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7896b5e6adf942d5ad0bc20d9603a2f8/ap-explains-what-we-know-about-s-korean-political-scandal|accessdate=31 October 2016|work=Associated Press|date=October 26, 2016}}</ref> Choi at that time claimed that the shamanic leader can channel communication to her dead mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/world/asia/south-korea-choi-soon-sil.html?_r=0|title=A Presidential Friendship Has Many South Koreans Crying Foul|date=October 27, 2016|website=New York Times}}</ref>


== Protests == == Protests ==
{{Main||2016 South Korean protests}} {{Main article||2016 South Korean protests}}
The revelations about the relationship of Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil caused mass demonstrations in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=015&aid=0003676785|title=전국에서 '최순실 의혹' 진상규명·대통령 퇴진 요구 집회}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.seoul.kr/news/bunya.do?method=daum_html2&typ_800=6&seq_800=10182240|title='분노한 민심'…서울 도심 '박근혜 하야' 촉구 대규모 집회}}</ref> Protesters called for the resignation of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKCN12T08V|title=Thousands protest in South Korea, demand president quit over scandal|website=Reuters}}</ref> The revelations about the relationship of Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil sparked massive demonstrations in ]. Massive demonstrations have been held every Saturday in Korea, and will continue to be held until President Park steps down. The number of participants is estimated to be over a million nationwide, the biggest protest since 1987 when Korean people demanded democracy from strongman ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=015&aid=0003676785|title=전국에서 '최순실 의혹' 진상규명·대통령 퇴진 요구 집회}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.seoul.kr/news/bunya.do?method=daum_html2&typ_800=6&seq_800=10182240|title='분노한 민심'…서울 도심 '박근혜 하야' 촉구 대규모 집회}}</ref> Protesters called for the resignation of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKCN12T08V|title=Thousands protest in South Korea, demand president quit over scandal|website=Reuters}}</ref>


== References == == References ==

Revision as of 11:08, 23 November 2016

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The 2016 South Korean political scandal (aka Choi Soon-sil gate or Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil gate) is a South Korean political scandal involving the influence of Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a shaman-esque cult leader, over president Park Geun-hye. Choi Soon-sil had no official post inside the government, yet she was deeply involved in every single decision-making process of President Park. Cheongwadae (The Blue House) staff and Pro-Park lawmakers are alleged for conniving the wrongdoings of Choi.

When Park Geun-hye became the president-elect of Korea in 2012, Choi Soon-sil's influence over Park's decision-making became a nationwide problem. Choi gained huge profit by abusing the power President Park had. With her husband Chung Yoon-Hoi, moviemaker Cha-Eun Taek and lover Ko Young-tae, Choi forced The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and chaebols (The list Includes Samsung, Hyundai Motors, SK, LG, Posco, Lotte, GS, Hanwha, KT, LS, CJ, Doosan, Korean Air, Kumho Asiana Group, Daerim, Shinsegye, Booyoung, Amorepacific) to pay tens of millions of dollars to K-Sports Foundation and MIR Foundation, which she actually had control over. Companies such as Hanjin Shipping which refused to pay their share were severely punished by the government. Choi forced companies to employ her close friends in conglomerates.

Choi also forced Ewha Womans University to change its rules to grant special admission for her daughter Chung Yoo-ra, who is a dressage athlete. Her nephew Jang Si-ho was granted 0.55 million dollars as a government subsidy in an inappropriate way. Choi soon-sil's businesses mainly focused on sports and culture including dressage, fencing, and K-Sports. Choi's ultimate aim was to use the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics as a gateway to earn billions of dollars necessary for building her own business empire.

Widespread coverage of the scandal began in late October 2016, and will continue to dominate the Korean media until President Park steps down. President Park refused to admit her accused charges and declared that she will not step down voluntarily. Impeachment process will soon begin after 2/3 of lawmakers agree to pass the impeachment bill.

Background

Main article: Choi Soon-sil

Choi Soon-sil has known Park Geun-Hye since the 1970s when Park Geun-hye was a daughter of Korea Republic's former strongman Park Chung-hee. Park Geun-hye took over the First Lady's role after First lady Yuk Young-soo was assassinated in 1974, and Choi Tae-min, father of Choi soon-sil introduced his daughter to Park Geun-hye after Choi Tae-min became acquainted with Park Geun-hye. Choi at that time claimed that the shamanic leader can channel communication to her dead mother.

Protests

Main article: 2016 South Korean protests

The revelations about the relationship of Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil sparked massive demonstrations in Seoul. Massive demonstrations have been held every Saturday in Korea, and will continue to be held until President Park steps down. The number of participants is estimated to be over a million nationwide, the biggest protest since 1987 when Korean people demanded democracy from strongman Chun Doo-hwan. Protesters called for the resignation of Park Geun-hye.

References

  1. "Investigations into 'Choi Soon-sil gate' widening". The Korea Times. October 23, 2016.
  2. "Swirling Scandal Involving Shamanistic Cult Threatens S. Korean President". NPR. October 29, 2016.
  3. "South Korea's leader proposes revising presidential system". Associated Press. October 24, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  4. "South Korea's presidency 'on the brink of collapse' as scandal grows". Washington Post. October 29, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  5. "South Korea Prosecutors Raid President's Office Over Scandal". Bloomberg. October 29, 2016.
  6. "Top conglomerate chiefs named witnesses in parliamentary probe". November 22, 2016.
  7. "'Female Rasputin' at eye of S Korean political scandal: 5 things to know". Channel Newsasia. October 29, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  8. "Choi soon-sil meets Hanjin President Cho Yang-ho to demand funding".
  9. "A Rasputinesque mystery woman and a cultish religion could take down South Korea's president". Quartz. October 28, 2016.
  10. "Cult leader's daughter may upend South Korea presidency". CBS NEWS. October 30, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  11. "'It's actually a system where Choi Sun-sil tells the President what to do'". The Hankyoreh. October 26, 2016.
  12. http://www.tbs.seoul.kr/news/bunya.do?method=daum_html&typ_800=P&seq_800=10185972. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "Politicians' foul play hurts sports". koreatimes.
  14. "Campaign for impeachment votes begins". 2016-11-22.
  15. "AP EXPLAINS: What we know about S. Korean political scandal". Associated Press. October 26, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  16. "A Presidential Friendship Has Many South Koreans Crying Foul". New York Times. October 27, 2016.
  17. "전국에서 '최순실 의혹' 진상규명·대통령 퇴진 요구 집회".
  18. "'분노한 민심'…서울 도심 '박근혜 하야' 촉구 대규모 집회".
  19. "Thousands protest in South Korea, demand president quit over scandal". Reuters.
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