Why Korea's Domestic Economy Is Collapsing

The government (conservative ruling party) has always supported big businesses, exports and real estate development.

Many Koreans have warned for decades that this was only enriching certain groups of people.

I know that the government dishes out money to big corporations, game companies, manufacturers and all sorts of business in the form of research or technical development, new product development grants. Yet, the government refuses to fund pre-school education.


I read an article today and it mentioned a very well written McKinsey report on Korea that explains the problems facing the Korean economy and the reasons.

Chosun Ilbo: Why Korea's Domestic Economy Is Crashing

Two More Former Presidential Secretaries Accused Of Crimes

The Prosecutor's Office announced that they are investigating Kim Ki-chun, the former Chief Of Staff under President Park and Woo Byung-woo, the former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs for abuse of power.

Both have denied any knowledge of the Choi Soon-sil and other scandals, but recent testimony by those under arrest and other eyewitnesses have indicated that they were also complicit in the crimes. Many expect that investigating the abuse of power allegations will lead to evidence of their guilt and alleged leading roles in the scandals.

Yonhap News: Ex-presidential chief of staff, aide under probe 

The Hankyroreh: For illicit ‘donations’, Pres. Park used safe house 

Everyone is saying that President Park is stalling for time. Before impeachment was likely, she seemed to take an impeach me, if you can stance. Now that impeachment is near, all of a sudden, she makes an address, but does not state that she will step down. She implies she will step down, if the ruling and opposition parties can come to agreement on her departure. Also she added "legal" ways to step down. The ruling party hardliners are known for making outrageous and impossible demands. The only legal way to step down is resign or impeachment. She still hasn't resigned, so the only "legal" way is impeachment.

The ruling party moderates say that both sides should try to come to an agreement, but if they cannot, then they will agree to a vote on impeachment on Dec. 9.

The opposition say that they will push for a vote on Dec. 2, if possible.

President Park's Addresses The Nation

The speech is scheduled to start at 2:30 pm.

She said that she only worked for the nation, is not greedy or money grabbing, thought that the sports and cultural foundations were honest, and that she only was guilty of trusting her acquaintances. 

She also said that she would place her future in the hands of the National Assembly and will do as they suggest to ensure a smooth transition to the next elected President.  

The Assembly will probably name a new Prime Minister to act in the interim and President Park will have no powers. Then they will set a timeline for her departure, many propose April of next year.

Korea Herald: Park says she will give up presidency

Korea Times: PRESIDENT SAYS 'I WILL FOLLOW ASSEMBLY'S DECISION' 

JTBC News: Complete Transcript Of President's Address In Korean

Korea Times: English Translation Of President's Address

JTBC News are the ones who found the laptop that launched the search warrants.

AP News: South Korean leader says she'll resign after lawmakers act

All the opposition parties state that they will carry on with the impeachment process. The ruling party hardliners are calling for a stop to the impeachment process. The ruling party moderates, who have the casting vote to push the impeachment through, is having a meeting. 

Opposition parties expect the ruling party hardliners to be extremely uncooperative and are very wary from past experience.

The ruling party moderates might still ask for impeachment. 

Labor Unions announced that they will go on a four hour strike as planned and the Saturday protest organizers confirm that the protests planned for Saturday will also go on as scheduled.

Most Koreans interviewed on TV were not satisfied with Park's apology and some say that you can't just say you're sorry for committing crimes, you have to do the time.

I continually underestimate the anger among Koreans. There are a lot of problems. 

Jesus And Fragrant Hemp

In the Old Testament and New Testament, it is mentioned that Jesus used cannabis.

In the original texts, it was written as Kaneh-bosm (hemp-fragrant) which means cannabis in Aramaic. Nine pounds of Kaneh-bosm flowers, olive oil, cinnamon, myrrh, and other spices were mixed to make the anointing oil for Jesus.

Also, according to archaeological evidence, cannabis was widely eaten and smoked as well around the time of Jesus.

If you look at all the slight misinterpretation of certain words in the Bible over the centuries, you can find some alternative interpretations, if you feel the need to resolve conflicts with your faith or knowledge.

If it helps epileptics, people in pain, cramps and other illnesses, how can they say that it has no medical value?

Merry Jane: Did Jesus Use Marijuana to Perform Miracles?

President Park Named Conspirator In More Crimes

Cha Eun-taek and Song Seong-gak were indicted today on charges of attempted coercion, coercion, abuse of power, embezzlement and influence peddling.

Cha Eun-taek worked closely with Choi Soon-sil, ex-Presidential Secretary Ahn Jong-bom to try to control the sports and culture industries.

President Park is alleged to have conspired to coerced Korea Telecom into giving millions of dollars in advertising to companies owned by Cha Eun-taek. She also ordered KT to employ two acquaintances of Choi Soon-sil. Then, she ordered KT to change the two employees positions, so that they could be in charge of advertising.

President Park is also accused of conspiring in the attempted take over of Poreka (an advertising company recently sold by POSCO under suspicious circumstances). She is supposed to have ordered to her aide to make sure that no big business groups won the bid to purchase Poreka, in an attempt to have a Cha Eun-taek company win the bid. It failed and another company won the bid. So, they tried to take over that company.

Song Seong-gak is the former head of the Korea Creative Content Agency and is accused of threatening to close down the new owner of Poreka, if the new owner did not sell 80% of the shares to Cha Eun-tae. The phone call was recorded by the new owner.

Korea Times: Prosecutors label President Park 'incompetent' 

Korea Herald: Cha Eun-taek Faces Multiple Charges

Korea Times: More accusations made against President 

5th Week of Anti-Park Protests In Seoul

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators braved freezing temperatures and rain to demand that President Park step down.

The protests started at 1 pm. and should last well past midnight. Even though it rained from early afternoon and forecasts called for more intermittent rain, over 1.5 million are expected to participate in Seoul and 500,000 in other cities.

Seoul Metro Government asked buildings to open their restrooms, set up outdoor toilets, increased subway trains and buses in preparation for the demonstrations.

Around 6 pm 

Sejong Cultural Center at 8 pm

Kwangwha Mun at 9 pm

Several blocks away at Jongro 2nd Street around 10 pm

The demonstrations were spread out over several square kilometers with many people marching up and down the streets. In addition to several big stages for performers and speeches in Kwangwha Mun and Seoul City Hall, there were also several smaller stages along the side streets.  

The organizers estimated 1.5 million attended throughout the day in Seoul and another 400,000 in other cities. Turnout was lower than expected due to snow and rain in the early afternoon and freezing temperatures.  

The Korea Herald: 1.9 million take to streets (Great pictures from 1 pm to 10:30 pm)

US State Department Slams President Park's Push For Standardized History

The ruling party which had the majority in the National Assembly and President Park rammed a measure to standardize Korean History and use only a government approved textbook to teach Korean history. The opposition parties, most professors and teachers were against the move.

Many suspected that Park was trying to change references to her father's presidency to paint a much rosier picture.

Chosun Ilbo: U.S. Rights Report Slams Korea's Official History Textbooks

Korea Times: Like Dictator Father, President Park: No Remorse