Park Administration Ordered Funding Of Right Wing Groups

According to TV news, Lee Seung-chul, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), testified that President Park's administration ordered the funding of ten right wing groups.

There have been very outspoken and aggressive conservative right wing groups at demonstrations, government offices, parliament, and other places. For a long time, it was rumored that the groups were funded by and received orders from the Park administration. The rumors turned out to be true., These right wing groups were fanatical and sometimes violent. They were paid demonstrators.

According to Vice Chairman Lee, FKI did not have enough funds, so he had to ask the federation members for an additional $3 million annually in order to fund these groups.

No articles in the press on this topic yet.

Medical Marijuana Legalized Unanimously By German Parliament

Legislation legalizing the use of medicinal marijuana was just passed unanimously by the German parliament. The bill becomes effective March 1. 2017.

CNN: Germany becomes latest country to OK medical marijuana legalization


Korea locked up 313 drug users and arrested around 1,800 last year, according to TV news. Most other countries are releasing them.

CNN: Obama cuts sentences of hundreds of drug offenders

Korea Demonstrations - 13th Week

Over 350,000 in Seoul and around the country braved freezing snow to participate in the 13th week of demonstrations against President Park's abuses.

There are no demonstrations planned for next weekend, since it is the Lunar New Year Holidays, which is like Christmas for Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese and muc of Southeast Asia, a time for families to gather.

If Lee Jae-young is convicted of bribery, then Samsung would have to pay penalties to many countries that have laws against foreign corruption. Maybe it would be better to lock them up on other charges, overlook bribery. Bribery is so hard to prove, when the main suspect didn't receive any bribes directly, but through companies, or foundations and the assets are in other people's names.

President Park Scandal Arrest List Update

Four more people, listed below just arrested recently;

Mr. Kim Ki-choon        (former Chief Presidential Secretary)
Ms. Cho Yoon-sun       (Minister of Culture and Sports)
Ms. Kim Kyung-sook   (Ewha U., Dean of Science and Industry Convergence College)
Ms. Lee  In-sung        (Ewha University, Professor)

Those arrested so far in the scandal are listed below;

Ms. Choi Soon-sil       (President Park's confidante)
Mr. Cha Eun-taek       (former Director of Creative Convergence Center)
Mr. An Chong-bum    (former Senior Presidential Secretary)
Mr. Jeong Ho-seong   (former Presidential Secretary)
Ms. Choi Si-ho           (niece of Ms. Choi Soon-sil)
Mr Kim Jong              (former Vice Minister of Culture)
Mr. Moon Hyung-pyo  (former Minister of Health)

Mr. Kim Jin-soo          (former Presidential Secretary for Health)

Mr. Kim Jong-deok     (former Minister of Culture)

Mr. Chung Gwang-ju   (former Vice Minister of Culture)

Mr. Shin Dong-chul     (former Presidential Secretary)

Mr. Song Sung-gak     (former Head of Korea Creative Content Agency)

Mr Ryu Cheol-gyun     (Ewha University Professor)

Mr. Nam Gung-gon     (former Ewha University, Dean of Admissions)

Those indicted with indifference (not arrested yet) are listed below;

Mr. Cho Won-dong    (former Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs)

Lee Jae-yong            (Samsung Vice Chairman)

Choi Gee-sung          (Samsung, Vice Chairman Future Strategy Office)

Jang Choong-gi         (Samsung, President Future Strategy Office)

Park Sang-jin             (Samsung Electronics, President for External Affairs)

Mr. Kim Ki-choon and Ms. Cho Yoon-sun were arrested and indicted for blacklisting artists and other people (abuse of power, perjury, etc.).

Korea Herald: Kim Ki-choon, Cho Yoon-sun detained

Korea Times: Culture minister, ex-presidential chief of staff arrested over blacklist of 'left-leaning' artists 

Yonhap News: S. Korea's culture minister arrested over blacklist of cultural figures 

For a long time, many though right wing groups were backed and given directions by the Park Administration. This was just proven true and Minister Cho Yoon-sun was behind it, most likely after receiving directions from President Park. 

The Hankyoreh: Culture Minister orchestrated right-wing demonstrations when serving as Blue House Senior Secretary 

Expect even more arrests and indictments in the coming weeks!

Best Place To Buy In Seoul - Butane Gas

The Cheongnyangri Fruit and Vegetable Market is the cheapest place to buy many things, including butane gas canisters.



The general grocery stores sell a butane gas cans for 3,000 won per four can pack. Most places charge more than 4,000 won for a four can pack. They also sell butter at the cheapest prices. I bought a 450 gram packet of Seoul Milk Butter for 7,000 won. The owner told me that prices were just raised, so it will cost more next time.

Butane Gas Canister 4-Pack

Butter (middle shelf)

The market is also the best place to buy fruits and vegetables, but you should shop around for the best buys and stores. Most places do not accept credit cards. Some do and charge 10% extra. Some of the larger stores accept credit cards without extra charges. The stores wholesale, and also retail on the side. If they do not accept credit cards, they can cut out the VAT, credit card processing fee, and reduce margins.

I bought a box of 16 apples (medium size, much bigger than at Home Plus, Emart and other stores) for 15,000 won from this store.

At the west end of the market, there are stores that sell meat, mushrooms, ginseng, nuts, seeds, grains and other foodstuffs at prices much cheaper than discount stores.

I also bought a 10 kilogram box of sweet potatoes nearby for 20,000 won. Really good quality.

Some stores are great, some are rip offs. So, shop around.

Samsung Vice-Chairman Lee Jae-young Indicted

The Special Independent Prosecutor's spokesman just announced that an arrest warrant and indictment were submitted to the courts for Lee Jae-young on bribery, embezzlement, and perjury charges. Three other Samsung presidents Choi Ji-sung, Jang Chung-gi, and Park Sang-jin were also indicted. The indictment hearings will be held on January 18, 2017.

New York Times:  South Korea Prosecutor Seeks Arrest of Samsung Group Leader in Bribery Case

Korea Demonstrations - 12th Week

This week's demonstrations were in remembrance of Jung Won, the Buddhist monk who immolated himself last week in protest and died a few days later, and Park Jong-cheol, a student who died while being water boarded to give up the whereabouts of a student protest leader 30 years ago on January 14, 1987. His death started nationwide protests which ended the reign of military generals posing as Korean Presidents.

TV news and other media are only giving airtime to pro-Park protests. There were almost no coverage of the anti-Park demonstrators, but there were a lot of coverage of the pro-Park protesters. Due to minus 10 degrees Celsius temperatures, both groups had much smaller numbers of protesters.

CBS News: Monk burns to death protesting deal on WWII sex slaves

New York Times: SEOUL STUDENT'S TORTURE DEATH CHANGES POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

Joongang Daily News: Eye witness speaks on Park Jong-cheol case

Korea Times: Protesters demand President's ouster in 12th weekly anti-president rally