Park says she alone is to blame for scandal rocking South Korea
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IN an extraordinary display of abject apology during a moment of supreme crisis, South Korean President Park Geun-hye yesterday took sole blame for a “heartbreaking” scandal amid rising suspicions she allowed a mysterious confidante to manipulate power from the shadows.
Park also vowed to accept a direct investigation into her actions, but the opposition, sensing weakness, immediately threatened to push for her resignation if she doesn’t distance herself from domestic affairs and accept a prime minster chosen by the parliament.
“I feel a huge responsibility deep in my heart,” Park said, her voice shaking during the high-stakes televised address to the nation. “It is all my fault and mistake.”
Park’s comments were rife with astonishing moments, and included a frank assessment of her relationship with the woman at the heart of the scandal, Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a cult leader and a longtime friend.
“I put too much faith in a personal relationship and didn’t look carefully at what was happening,” Park said. “Sad thoughts trouble my sleep at night. I realize that whatever I do, it will be difficult to mend the hearts of the people, and then I feel a sense of shame and ask myself, ‘Is this the reason I became president?’”
Park also denied media speculation she had “fallen into worshipping cult religions or that shamanistic rituals were held at the presidential Blue House.”
Her comments come at what may well prove to be the crucial moment of her presidency. Park is attempting to show the contrition and sense of responsibility that South Koreans demand while also trying to re-establish her tarnished credibility. She is in the fourth year of a single five-year term and faced criticism even before the current scandal, particularly for the government’s response to a 2014 ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people.
One poll released yesterday had her approval rating at 5 percent, the lowest for any president in South Korea since the country achieved a democracy in the late 1980s.
“Anyone found by the current investigation to have done something wrong must be held responsible for what they have done, and I am also ready to face any responsibility,” Park said. “If necessary, I’m determined to let prosecutors investigate me and accept an investigation by an independent counsel too.”
Last week, Park acknowledged she had relied on Choi for help editing speeches and undefined “public relations” issues.
Anger has exploded in the days since, with reports claiming the influence Choi had went much deeper. There are reports Choi reviewed and made recommendations on government policy papers and pushed businesses to donate millions of dollars to two foundations she controlled. Other reports speculated that Choi helped choose presidential aides and even picked out Park’s wardrobe.
Park has fired eight presidential secretaries and nominated three new Cabinet members, including the prime minister, in an effort to regain public confidence. Opposition parties have described Park’s reshuffles as a diversionary tactic.
Soon after yesterday’s speech, the main opposition Democratic Party said her apology lacked sincerity and issued a set of demands that it says Park must immediately accept if she doesn’t want see rallies calling for the end of her government. They include Park withdrawing her prime minister nomination; nominating a new person recommended by the National Assembly for the job; and accepting separate investigations by lawmakers and an independent counsel.
Party chief Choo Mi-ae said Park “must comply with what the people want.”
She may survive what has become the worst patch of a rocky term. But if forced to name a prime minister chosen by the opposition, it will hamstring her authority and may end her ability to govern.
Only Choi has been formally arrested in connection with the scandal. Prosecutors yesterday requested a warrant for ex-Park aide, Ahn Jong-beom, for his alleged involvement in extracting US$70 million in donations. On Wednesday, prosecutors detained another ex-presidential aide, Jeong Ho-seong, for allegedly leaking confidential documents to Choi, and are reviewing whether to seek a warrant for him.
Park was frank in her comments about Choi.
Choi was “a person who stood with me during the hardest moment in my life,” Park said in her speech, apparently referring to the assassinations of Park’s mother and later her father, Park Chung-hee. “It’s true that I lowered my guard and my sense of wariness” of Choi.
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