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Prosecutors link South Korean president to corruption scandal
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A faction of lawmakers in Park Geun-hye's ruling party is calling for her ouster, putting the opposition closer to the numbers needed to impeach South Korea's president over an influence-peddling scandal shaking Asia's fourth-biggest economy.
Thirty-five Saenuri lawmakers estranged from the party held a meeting after prosecutors said Sunday she "colluded" with former aides in the corruption case. Thirty-two agreed to pursue Park's impeachment and demand that she leave the party, with lawmaker Hwang Young-cheul saying in a briefing that the number of proponents will increase.
In response to the allegations, the presidential Blue House on Sunday questioned the neutrality of the prosecutors, saying the interim investigation was being conducted as if she committed a serious crime. The president's lawyer also rejected the results of the probe, saying they are based on "imagination and conjecture."
Park has shown few signs that she plans to step down any time soon, despite hundreds of thousands of protesters gathering near the presidential compound over the past two weekends to demand her resignation and arrest. While the nation's constitution protects a president from being indicted, it allows for impeachment should two-thirds of the 300-member National Assembly approve.
Lawmakers from the three opposition parties control a combined 165 seats, while Park's ruling Saenuri Party has 129 seats. Six are with unaffiliated members.
In this Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 photo, a South Korean protester wearing a mask listens to a speech during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea. For the fourth straight weekend, masses of South Koreans were expected to descend on major avenues in downtown Seoul demanding an end to the presidency of Park, who prosecutors plan to question soon over an explosive political scandal. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)AP
In this Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 photo, a South Korean protester wearing a mask listens to a speech during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea. For the fourth straight weekend, masses of South Koreans were expected to descend on major avenues in downtown Seoul demanding an end to the presidency of Park, who prosecutors plan to question soon over an explosive political scandal. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)
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Party Rift
While the opposition parties lack the numbers needed to oust her, a rift within the ruling party may increase the risk of an impeachment motion for Park, said Choi Chang-ryul, a political commentator and professor at Yong In University.
"The opposition will now start contacting ruling-party lawmakers to start their impeachment procedure," said Choi. "While it's the prevailing view that any impeachment motion can be overturned by the Constitutional Court, I personally think it won't be that easy for the judges to do so given the public anger."
Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, said Monday that her party would set up an apparatus to push for impeachment, Yonhap News reported. Moon Jae-in, the leading contender to take over as president in opinion polls, said there's a strong case for impeachment. Both urged Park to step down as president first.
South Koreans take to the streets in the city center to demand President Park Geun-Hye to step down on November 19, 2016 in Seoul, South Korea. People joined the anti-government protest Saturday amid rising public frustration for President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal. (Photo by Jung Yeon-Je-Pool/Getty Images)
South Koreans take to the streets in the city center to demand President Park Geun-Hye to step down on November 19, 2016 in Seoul, South Korea. People joined the anti-government protest Saturday amid rising public frustration for President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal. (Photo by Jung Yeon-Je-Pool/Getty Images)
Samsung, Hyundai
Prosecutors on Sunday said they've secured enough evidence to show Park played a role in the scandal, while her long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil extracted money from some of the country's biggest companies and gained access to classified information.
Charges against Choi and a former presidential aide include attempted coercion and abuse of authority, while another aide was accused of leaking classified information, Lee Young-ryeol, the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, said Sunday. Prosecutors will continue to investigate Park, Lee said.
Park is the first South Korean president to be targeted as a suspect in a corruption investigation while in office, and has asked for more time to prepare for her defense. Her approval rating has dropped to 5 percent, according to Gallup Korea.
The corruption probe has widened to companies including Samsung Electronics Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. amid allegations the conglomerates provided about 77.4 billion won ($65 million) to two foundations controlled by Choi. "The companies could not help but follow the demands by Choi and An in fear of facing both direct and indirect disadvantages in their business activities," said Lee.
Samsung's headquarters was raided by investigators earlier this month and an executive of Hyundai Motor was summoned for questioning.
Protesters hold candles and banners calling for the resignation of South Korea's President Park Geun-Hye during an anti-government rally in central Seoul on November 19, 2016. Tens of thousands of protestors rallied in Seoul on November 19, for the fourth in a weekly series of mass protests urging President Park Geun-Hye to resign over a corruption scandal.
AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator takes a selfie before a police bus adorned with messages during an anti-government protest in central Seoul on November 19, 2016. Up to half-a-million protestors were expected to take to the streets of Seoul for the fourth week in a row, demanding President Park Geun-Hye resign over a corruption scandal.
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators shout slogans and hold candles during an anti-government protest in Gwanghwamun square in central Seoul on November 19, 2016. Up to half-a-million protestors were expected to take to the streets of Seoul for the fourth week in a row, demanding President Park Geun-Hye resign over a corruption scandal.
AFP/Getty Images
South Korean protesters shout slogans as they march toward the presidential house during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. For the fourth straight weekend, masses of South Koreans were expected to descend on major avenues in downtown Seoul demanding an end to the presidency of Park, who prosecutors plan to question soon over an explosive political scandal. The banners read: "Park Geun-hye should step down". (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
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South Korean protesters march toward the presidential house during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. For the fourth straight weekend, masses of South Koreans were expected to descend on major avenues in downtown Seoul demanding an end to the presidency of Park, who prosecutors plan to question soon over an explosive political scandal. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
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South Koreans take to the streets in the city center to demand President Park Geun-Hye to step down on November 19, 2016 in Seoul, South Korea. People joined the anti-government protest Saturday amid rising public frustration for President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Demonstrators shout slogans and hold candles during an anti-government protest in Gwanghwamun square in central Seoul on November 19, 2016. Up to half-a-million protestors were expected to take to the streets of Seoul for the fourth week in a row, demanding President Park Geun-Hye resign over a corruption scandal.
AFP/Getty Images
South Korean protesters hold up candles and placards during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. For the fourth straight weekend, masses of South Koreans were expected to descend on major avenues in downtown Seoul demanding an end to the presidency of Park, who prosecutors plan to question soon over an explosive political scandal. The letters read "Park Geun-hye should step down." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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South Koreans take to the streets in the city center to demand President Park Geun-Hye to step down on November 19, 2016 in Seoul, South Korea. Approximately hundreds of thousands of people joined the anti-government protest Saturday amid rising public frustration for President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal. (Photo by Kim Min-Hee-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A South Korean woman holding banners calling for the resignation of South Korea's President Park Geun-Hye sits next to a bronze statue during an anti-government rally in central Seoul on November 19, 2016. Tens of thousands of protestors gathered in Seoul on November 19 for the fourth in a weekly series of mass protests aimed at forcing President Park Geun-Hye to resign over a corruption scandal.
AFP/Getty Images
A protester holds a placard showing a portrait of South Korea's President Park Geun-Hye during an anti-government rally in central Seoul on November 19, 2016. Tens of thousands of protestors gathered in Seoul on November 19 for the fourth in a weekly series of mass protests aimed at forcing President Park Geun-Hye to resign over a corruption scandal
AFP/Getty Images
Korean Law
South Korean law stipulates that the Constitutional Court should make the final decision within 180 days after it receives an impeachment proposal from the National Assembly. At least seven judges are required to try an impeachment case, while at least six have to vote for the proposal to be eventually passed.
Park's resignation would trigger a presidential election within 60 days.
Reporting by: Kanga Kong and Hooyeon Kim / Bloomberg
A protester holds a placard erading 'Park Geun-Hye resign!' during an anti-government protest at Seoul city hall plaza on November 19, 2016. Up to half-a-million protestors were expected to take to the streets of Seoul for the fourth week in a row, demanding President Park Geun-Hye resign over a corruption scandal.AFP/Getty Images
A protester holds a placard erading 'Park Geun-Hye resign!' during an anti-government protest at Seoul city hall plaza on November 19, 2016. Up to half-a-million protestors were expected to take to the streets of Seoul for the fourth week in a row, demanding President Park Geun-Hye resign over a corruption scandal.
AFP/Getty Images
South Korea's presidents make disgraced exits
If there's one thing that South Korean presidents dread more than the looming threat of rival North Korea, it may be this: becoming an ex-president.
Nearly all former presidents, or their family members and key aides, have been embroiled in scandals at the close of their terms or after leaving office. There have been corruption allegations, coups -- even a suicide and an assassination.
Now, South Korean prosecutors say they believe current President Park Geun-hye, facing historic levels of unpopularity as she approaches her last year in office, conspired in the criminal activities of a confidante who allegedly exploited her presidential ties to force businesses to donate money to two foundations she controlled.
Here's a look at the troubles faced by South Korean presidents over the years:
In this March 17, 1955 file photo, South Korean President Syngman Rhee is seated at the Presidential House in Seoul on March 17, 1955. (AP Photo/George Sweers, File)AP
In this March 17, 1955 file photo, South Korean President Syngman Rhee is seated at the Presidential House in Seoul on March 17, 1955. (AP Photo/George Sweers, File)
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SYNGMAN RHEE (1948-1960)
A U.S.-educated Christian leader who campaigned for Korean liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Rhee became South Korea's founding president in 1948, with help from Washington.
Rhee staged vigorous campaigns to fight communism but later turned authoritarian and, critics say, resorted to corruption and nepotism to cling to power. He won his fourth presidential term in 1960 amid widespread allegations of vote-rigging. Nationwide student demonstrations forced him to flee to Hawaii, where he died in 1965.
In this 1977 file photo, South Korean President Park Chung-hee, right, and his daughter, Park Geun-hye cast ballots in Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Yonhap, File)AP
In this 1977 file photo, South Korean President Park Chung-hee, right, and his daughter, Park Geun-hye cast ballots in Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Yonhap, File)
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PARK CHUNG-HEE (1961-1979)
A former Japanese colonial army lieutenant and primary school teacher, Maj. Gen. Park took power in a coup in 1961, which ended a brief period of civilian rule after Rhee resigned.
Park, the father of the current president, was credited with laying the foundation for South Korea's economic growth. But his critics point out that he also arrested and tortured dissidents. He was assassinated by his spy chief during a drinking party in 1979.
In this Feb. 26, 1996 file photo, former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan enters the Seoul Court House dressed in prison garb for his first trial on corruption charges. (AP Photo/Yun Jai-hyoung, File)AP
In this Feb. 26, 1996 file photo, former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan enters the Seoul Court House dressed in prison garb for his first trial on corruption charges. (AP Photo/Yun Jai-hyoung, File)
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CHUN DOO-HWAN (1980-1988)
Maj. Gen. Chun and his military cronies rolled tanks and troops into Seoul to seize power in a coup that ended the interim government of acting President Choi Kyu-hah.
Chun had himself elected president in a gymnasium filled with a pro-government electorate. In 1987, massive pro-democracy demonstrations forced him to accept a constitutional revision for direct presidential elections.
After his tenure ended, Chun spent two years in exile in a remote Buddhist temple as calls mounted to punish him for corruption and human rights abuses.
In this Dec. 18, 1995 file photo, former South Korean President Roh Tae-woo enters the Seoul district court for his trial on charge of receiving huge bribes from businessmen. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)AP
In this Dec. 18, 1995 file photo, former South Korean President Roh Tae-woo enters the Seoul district court for his trial on charge of receiving huge bribes from businessmen. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)
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ROH TAE-WOO (1988-1993)
Roh, Chun's army buddy and hand-picked successor, won the 1987 election, thanks largely to divided votes among opposition candidates. He presided over the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
In 1995, both Chun and Roh were arrested on charges of collecting hundreds of millions of dollars from businessmen while in office. They were also indicted on mutiny and treason charges stemming from Chun's coup and a bloody 1980 crackdown that killed hundreds of pro-democracy protesters in the southern city of Gwangju.
Chun was sentenced to death and Roh to 22 1/2 years in jail. They were pardoned in December 1997.
In this Dec. 11, 1997 file photo, South Korean President Kim Young-sam bows to the nation before he reads a speech apologizing for the country's economic crisis at the presidential palace in Seoul. (Yonhap via AP, File)AP
In this Dec. 11, 1997 file photo, South Korean President Kim Young-sam bows to the nation before he reads a speech apologizing for the country's economic crisis at the presidential palace in Seoul. (Yonhap via AP, File)
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KIM YOUNG-SAM (1993-1998)
Kim's election formally ended military rule. He arrested Chun and Roh and launched a widely popular anti-corruption campaign.
His mismanagement of the economy, however, helped precipitate the 1997-1998 financial crisis that toppled some of the country's debt-ridden conglomerates and forced the government to accept a $58 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
He left office amid rock-bottom popularity with his son arrested and jailed for corruption.
A portrait of the late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung is seen as mourners visit the memorial room at a hospital in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Yonhap, Chou Jae-koo) AP
A portrait of the late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung is seen as mourners visit the memorial room at a hospital in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Yonhap, Chou Jae-koo)
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KIM DAE-JUNG (1998-2003)
Sentenced to death by a military tribunal under Chun, Kim rose to the presidency and held an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in 2000; he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that year.
He left office tainted by corruption scandals involving aides and all three of his sons and dubious cash remittances to North Korea shortly before his historic inter-Korean summit.
In this Nov. 27, 2007 file photo, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun delivers a speech to the nation during a news conference in Seoul, announcing that he approved a bill calling for an independent investigation into allegations of slush fund and bribery at Samsung Group. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)AP
In this Nov. 27, 2007 file photo, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun delivers a speech to the nation during a news conference in Seoul, announcing that he approved a bill calling for an independent investigation into allegations of slush fund and bribery at Samsung Group. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
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ROH MOO-HYUN (2003-2008)
Roh committed suicide in 2009, a year after leaving the presidential Blue House, amid allegations that his family members took $6 million in bribes from a businessman during his presidency.
Roh's older brother was sentenced in 2009 to two and a half years in prison for influence-peddling during Roh's presidency. He was later pardoned.
Roh was impeached in 2004 on allegations of incompetence and illegal electioneering. But the impeachment triggered a strong public backlash that helped his party win big in parliamentary elections. The Constitutional Court then ruled that his actions did not warrant removal from office.
South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak speaks as US President Barack Obama looks on following a tour of the General Motors Orion Assembly plant October 14, 2011 in Lake Orion, Michigan.AFP/Getty Images
South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak speaks as US President Barack Obama looks on following a tour of the General Motors Orion Assembly plant October 14, 2011 in Lake Orion, Michigan.
AFP/Getty Images
LEE MYUNG-BAK (2008-2013)
Toward the end of his term, Lee, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, watched his only son and an elder brother come under fire for alleged irregularities in funding Lee's retirement home.
Another brother was arrested on separate allegations of taking bribes from bankers and served a 14-month prison term.
Lee called the corruption scandals involving family and aides "heartbreaking."
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