President Park promised the people on national television that she would submit to question by prosecutors.
Her lawyer, Yoo Yong-ha, just announced that President Park refuses to undergo questioning by prosecutors. He said that he was preparing for questioning by a special independent prosecuting team that will be formed in the coming weeks.
So, President Park technically did not lie, since it was her lawyer that did the talking. She can say that it was the lawyer's decision to refuse questioning. That's her way of thinking. The ruling party leader, Lee Jong-hyon, also seems to have chronic cognitive dissonance,
CNN: President Park to be investigated as three others indicted
The President's Office just responsed to the indictment charges. They said that the investigation was biased, nothing was proven yet, and that President Park will carry on with her duties. They also said the indictment made it sound like President Park committed a serious crime. They said that the President is innocent and they will prove it.
I strongly suspect that the President's Office is relaying President Park's direct responses.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Saturday, November 19, 2016
President Park Named As Conspirator In Indictment
Prosecutors just announced the indictments against Ahn Jong-bom (ex-Presidential Aide), Jeong Ho-song (ex-Presidential Aide), and Choi Soon-sil.
In the indictments, President Park was named as a conspirator for being significantly involved in the crimes. The most serious charge of bribery over 100 million won (about $90,000) which can carry a punishment of up to life imprisonment was not listed in the indictment. Prosecutors are saying that this is still being investigated.
Although the President cannot be indicted while in office, the Prosecutors state that they will still carry on investigations into the President. It is said that to name the President in the indictment means that the Prosecutors have a pretty good case.
It is alleged that President Park ordered the amount raised for a foundation from 30 billion won to 50 billion won (about $45 million), that President Park introduced Choi Soon-sil to government and foundation officials, and that business groups donated or gave money because they feared retaliation. Other crimes listed are abuse of power, fraud, unauthorized disclosure of classified information, and coercion. The Prosecutors state they already have enough evidence to prove the indictments and that further charges may be brought.
This is just the start of the telling of the truth. We will all find out a lot more in the coming months.
Will she resign before the shit hits the fan?
If Korean JTBC News didn't find the laptop with presidential speeches and other document files on it, which led to the search warrants that found the burner phones with recordings and chats, in addition to notebooks with memos about orders from President Park and Choi Soon-sil, then two-faced President Park would still be hiding behind the law.
The Prosecutors just announced that President Park asked business group chairmen for favors during her one-to-one meetings with them. President Park is famous for not having one-to-one meetings with any of her ministers (not even one) for discussions of policy or anything. Yet, she met business group chairmen in one-on-one meetings.
In her meeting with Lotte, President Park asked Lotte to donate another 7 billion won ($6.4 million).
In her meeting with Hyundai Motors, she asked the chairman to give 1.1 billion won worth of orders to KD Corporation and 6.2 billion won in advertising to Playground Advertising.
In her meeting with KT (Korea Telecom), she asked that a person be named director in charge of marketing. This director gave KT advertising contract to two companies with connections to Choi Soon-sil and Cha Eun-taek.
There were seven chairmen, who had one-on-one meetings with President Park, so there will be more releases from the prosecutors office in the coming weeks.
New York Times: S. Korean Prosecutors Say Park Conspired With Her Friend
Korea Herald: Presidential office expresses regret over investigation result
BBC: S. Korea president Park Geun-hye 'had role' in scandal
AP: S. Korean prosecutors say Park conspired with her friend
Korea Times: 'President Park criminal suspect,' says prosecution
In the indictments, President Park was named as a conspirator for being significantly involved in the crimes. The most serious charge of bribery over 100 million won (about $90,000) which can carry a punishment of up to life imprisonment was not listed in the indictment. Prosecutors are saying that this is still being investigated.
Although the President cannot be indicted while in office, the Prosecutors state that they will still carry on investigations into the President. It is said that to name the President in the indictment means that the Prosecutors have a pretty good case.
It is alleged that President Park ordered the amount raised for a foundation from 30 billion won to 50 billion won (about $45 million), that President Park introduced Choi Soon-sil to government and foundation officials, and that business groups donated or gave money because they feared retaliation. Other crimes listed are abuse of power, fraud, unauthorized disclosure of classified information, and coercion. The Prosecutors state they already have enough evidence to prove the indictments and that further charges may be brought.
This is just the start of the telling of the truth. We will all find out a lot more in the coming months.
Will she resign before the shit hits the fan?
If Korean JTBC News didn't find the laptop with presidential speeches and other document files on it, which led to the search warrants that found the burner phones with recordings and chats, in addition to notebooks with memos about orders from President Park and Choi Soon-sil, then two-faced President Park would still be hiding behind the law.
The Prosecutors just announced that President Park asked business group chairmen for favors during her one-to-one meetings with them. President Park is famous for not having one-to-one meetings with any of her ministers (not even one) for discussions of policy or anything. Yet, she met business group chairmen in one-on-one meetings.
In her meeting with Lotte, President Park asked Lotte to donate another 7 billion won ($6.4 million).
In her meeting with Hyundai Motors, she asked the chairman to give 1.1 billion won worth of orders to KD Corporation and 6.2 billion won in advertising to Playground Advertising.
In her meeting with KT (Korea Telecom), she asked that a person be named director in charge of marketing. This director gave KT advertising contract to two companies with connections to Choi Soon-sil and Cha Eun-taek.
There were seven chairmen, who had one-on-one meetings with President Park, so there will be more releases from the prosecutors office in the coming weeks.
New York Times: S. Korean Prosecutors Say Park Conspired With Her Friend
Korea Herald: Presidential office expresses regret over investigation result
BBC: S. Korea president Park Geun-hye 'had role' in scandal
AP: S. Korean prosecutors say Park conspired with her friend
Korea Times: 'President Park criminal suspect,' says prosecution
4th Week Of Seoul Protests Demanding President Park Step Down
Compared to last week, demonstrators were more densely packed, but in a slightly smaller area. After taking into consideration that most people do not stay for the whole demonstration, I estimate almost one million attended. Official estimates are over 600,000 demonstrators in Seoul and over 350,000 in 16 other cities.
Last week, I could get to Kwangwha Mun. This week, I could not. I was blocked by walls of people. It was too packed to get close. I gave up a block away from Kwangwha Mun and it took me an hour to get out of there.
There were crowds on Jongro 2nd Street which is three blocks from Kwangwha Mun.
Last week, I could get to Kwangwha Mun. This week, I could not. I was blocked by walls of people. It was too packed to get close. I gave up a block away from Kwangwha Mun and it took me an hour to get out of there.
There were crowds on Jongro 2nd Street which is three blocks from Kwangwha Mun.
Jongro 2nd Street
A Block Away From Kwangwha Mun
Trapped In Crowds
Between City Hall and Kwangwha Mun
According to police, this is 80,000 people. Must be several hundred thousand. It seems President Park controls what the police say.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Scaring Family Demonstrators From Protesting
Peaceful demonstrations are planned throughout Korea today starting from 6 pm.
Pro-Park groups announced they are planning marches in Seoul at the same time.
Media keep reporting there might be violence between the two groups.
Many feel that this is a blatant attempt to scare families from participating in the demonstrations.
Gonna take my family to the protests! See you there.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Past Questionable Investigations
Just because they can keep it out of the news, doesn't mean that it will disappear.
It is widely suspected that the investigations into the following incidents were far from satisfactory.
1. Involvement by Korean intelligence in the last presidential election.
2. Involvement by Korean military intelligence in the last presidential election.
3. Involvement by ruling party assemblymen Yoon Sang-hyon and Choi Kyun-hwan in illegal campaigning during the last presidential elections.
4. The Chung Yoon-hae scandal regarding influence peddling.
5. The Song Hwan-jong scandal where he named people he gave money to before committing suicide.
6. Spreading of false information during the last presidential election by ruling party assemblyman Kim Moo-sung (found not guilty because he said he thought something he read was true), The ruling party used this false information to paint people as communist sympathizers.
7. There was another one where a policewoman (now opposition assemblywoman) reported that her superior was interfering in the investigation into interference by Korean intelligence before the last Presidential elections. She was accused of perjury and forced out. Her superior was found innocent. Very unfair ruling. The policewoman was acquitted of perjury just this year. They dragged the case on and on, just to make trouble.
Those are only the ones I know and am ticked off about. I probably forgot some.
That is why a lot of Koreans were too scared to protest. What can you do? They got the law!
But now, President Park and her gang have pissed off everyone. It is only going to get better!
It is widely suspected that the investigations into the following incidents were far from satisfactory.
1. Involvement by Korean intelligence in the last presidential election.
2. Involvement by Korean military intelligence in the last presidential election.
3. Involvement by ruling party assemblymen Yoon Sang-hyon and Choi Kyun-hwan in illegal campaigning during the last presidential elections.
4. The Chung Yoon-hae scandal regarding influence peddling.
5. The Song Hwan-jong scandal where he named people he gave money to before committing suicide.
6. Spreading of false information during the last presidential election by ruling party assemblyman Kim Moo-sung (found not guilty because he said he thought something he read was true), The ruling party used this false information to paint people as communist sympathizers.
7. There was another one where a policewoman (now opposition assemblywoman) reported that her superior was interfering in the investigation into interference by Korean intelligence before the last Presidential elections. She was accused of perjury and forced out. Her superior was found innocent. Very unfair ruling. The policewoman was acquitted of perjury just this year. They dragged the case on and on, just to make trouble.
Those are only the ones I know and am ticked off about. I probably forgot some.
That is why a lot of Koreans were too scared to protest. What can you do? They got the law!
But now, President Park and her gang have pissed off everyone. It is only going to get better!
List Of Arrested In President Park, Choi Soon-sil Scandal
The prosecutors are rumored to have decided to put President Park in Choi Soon-sil's indictment as an accomplice.
People arrested, so far, are below;
Ms. Choi Soon-sil
Mr. Cha Eun-taek
Mr. An Chong-bum (Presidential Aide)
Mr. Jeong Ho-seong (Presidential Aide)
Ms. Choi Si-ho (niece of Ms. Choi Soon-sil)
The prosecutors just applied for an arrest warrant for Kim Chong ex-Vice Minister of Culture.
Expect this list to grow in the coming weeks.
Every time some scandal happens that is close to her, President Park has almost always ordered a thorough investigation and strict punishment on those involved. She does this to distance herself from the spotlight.
When the Choi Soon-sil scandal broke out, she did this. Now, the Lee Yeong-bok scandal, she says the same thing. Eventually, it will probably be revealed that people around President Park were involved.
The ruling party is talking about imposing martial law. What a joke! They are doing their best to deflect attention.
People arrested, so far, are below;
Ms. Choi Soon-sil
Mr. Cha Eun-taek
Mr. An Chong-bum (Presidential Aide)
Mr. Jeong Ho-seong (Presidential Aide)
Ms. Choi Si-ho (niece of Ms. Choi Soon-sil)
The prosecutors just applied for an arrest warrant for Kim Chong ex-Vice Minister of Culture.
Expect this list to grow in the coming weeks.
Every time some scandal happens that is close to her, President Park has almost always ordered a thorough investigation and strict punishment on those involved. She does this to distance herself from the spotlight.
When the Choi Soon-sil scandal broke out, she did this. Now, the Lee Yeong-bok scandal, she says the same thing. Eventually, it will probably be revealed that people around President Park were involved.
The ruling party is talking about imposing martial law. What a joke! They are doing their best to deflect attention.
Ewha University Students Were Right
Ewha University students had demonstrated for months demanding the resignation of the University President for all sorts of things.
After the Choi Soon-sil scandal started, the Ministry of Education started investigations into Ewha University in late October. The results were just announced on TV.
It confirmed that Chung Yu-ra (Choi Soon-sil's youngest daughter) received special favors that allowed her to be accepted and that professors had given her good grades when she had never taken any classes and rarely submitted homework or took tests. The Ministry is taking punitive actions against university, asking that her admission be cancelled, and asking for criminal actions be taken against the professors and administrators implicated.
After the Choi Soon-sil scandal started, the Ministry of Education started investigations into Ewha University in late October. The results were just announced on TV.
It confirmed that Chung Yu-ra (Choi Soon-sil's youngest daughter) received special favors that allowed her to be accepted and that professors had given her good grades when she had never taken any classes and rarely submitted homework or took tests. The Ministry is taking punitive actions against university, asking that her admission be cancelled, and asking for criminal actions be taken against the professors and administrators implicated.
Chung illegally admitted to Ewha