A traditionally very pro-Park (my opinion, most media in Korea were pro-Park, until very recently) Korean TV channel, YTN, pointed some more lies that President Park made in her apology speech.
She said only received help from Choi Soon-sil until her presidential aides were selected and settled in. (This was just after the laptop was discovered and in the laptop, only the early part of her presidency was implicated.)
YTN reported that prosecutors are said to have evidence that Park and Choi communicated up until April of this year.
President Park said that donations to the foundations, in question, were completely voluntary on the part of the business groups. In the recording and notes, President Park repeatedly reprimands people for their slowness in getting donations and increases the donation amount arbitrarily. All the business group chairmen say they felt coerced, since they were getting frequent requests to donate after the President asked them to donate.
Also, originally, Lee Sung-chul, the vice-chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries said he took it upon himself to gather donations for the foundations. When questioned by prosecutors he said that Ahn Jong-bom, an ex-Presidential aide under arrest, ordered him to say that and that he was ordered by Ahn to gather donations.
Hankyoreh News: FKI Cannot Hide Lies
There are more lies, seemingly endless, that will be revealed in the coming weeks.
President Park through her spokesman is saying they have no proof, the allegations are completely unfounded. the prosecutors made the indictment public without a through investigation (Park refused to be questioned, so they are claiming that the investigations were incomplete). In order to maintain stability, she will continue acting as President.
Hankyoreh News: Business Groups Pressured to Make Donations
She must be deranged. Well, actually, she is just trying to delay prison. You can't blame her for that. It is expected.
She appointed 3 or 4 of the justices on the Supreme Court which has to rule on any impeachment decisions, so she is saying "Impeach me, if you can.". If the people are watching, then they have to be unbiased, right? If they have chronic cognitive dissonance, then they will justify their decision in a Park-like manner.
They almost got away with all this, except for one forgotten laptop with presidential documents and itineraries on it.
This was reported way back in April, and it took this long to bring an indictment.
Korea Times: FKI Involvement In Scandal and Funding Extreme Demonstrators
There are some pro-Park demonstrators, but in the last demonstrations, it was reported that some attacked a JTBC news crew last Saturday. I want to know why up to 10% of the pro-Park demonstrators wear hats and sunglasses? Cops, detectives, undercover, and agents like sunglasses.
Do they still receive funding from FKI?
Sunday, November 20, 2016
President Park Will Do Everything To Delay Jail
When the scandal first started, I suspect many people were afraid that President Park might commit suicide (which has happened frequently in such scandals in Korea).
President Park is desperately trying to extend her stay as President. When her term ends, she will be indicted and probably go to jail for a long time.
Since she is surrounded by guards, they should be able to stop any suicide attempts.
It could take months to get rid of her.
New York Times: Park Geun-hye Was Accomplice in Extortion, South Korean Prosecutors Say
New York Times: President Conspired With Her Friend
Washington Post: South Korean political scandal started with a card game in Macau
President Park is desperately trying to extend her stay as President. When her term ends, she will be indicted and probably go to jail for a long time.
Since she is surrounded by guards, they should be able to stop any suicide attempts.
It could take months to get rid of her.
New York Times: Park Geun-hye Was Accomplice in Extortion, South Korean Prosecutors Say
New York Times: President Conspired With Her Friend
Washington Post: South Korean political scandal started with a card game in Macau
President Park Lied Again
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.
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.
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!