Reflections of the Choi Soon-sil Scandal in Asian Countries

SEOUL, Nov. 4, 2016 (Xinhua) — People watch TV broadcasting South Korean President Park Geun-hye addressing the nation, at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 4, 2016. South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Friday that she will accept an investigation into herself, if necessary, by prosecutors over a scandal surrounding Choi Soon-sil, the president’s longtime confidante suspected of intervening into state affairs. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)(axy)

A bizarre scandal about the Korean President Park Geun-hye shakes the South Korean society. Choi Soon-sil, an old friend of the president, allegedly used her connection with Park to extort money from largest corporations as well as abuse of power and corruption activities.

President Park Geun-hye apologized recently that she accepts a prosecution investigation into the Choi Soon-sil scandal.

Most of the Asian countries are also attentively following the developments and criticizing the situation.

The Times of India announced the situation in South Korea by naming the scandal as corruption allegation: “…In Friday’s (November 4th) televised apology, Park commented on the corruption allegations surrounding Choi and her former aides and vowed to accept a direct investigation into her actions, but avoided the more damning allegation that Choi perhaps had interfered with important government decisions on policy and personnel.”

Kyrgyz reporter Akmaral Sabatar from NTS Channel says the Korean president should resign as soon as possible: “We are following the news via media organs in Kyrgyzstan and Russia. In my opinion, those scandals cannot be ignored since the realities have been hidden from the people and the state issues have been shared with non-official persons. Resigning is an easy and useful way for the public opinion.”

Dr. Yusuf Cinar, the President of Strategic Outlook Institution in Turkey mentioned the importance of secularism, “Although South Korea is practicing secularism very well, and it is really interesting that a religious sect is involving in state affairs by creating a mystic effect over the president. We witnessed the similar situation on July 15 military coup attempt of FETO which tried to seize the state and failed in Turkey. Accountability and transparency are major elements for the state structure. I think President Park should explain all secret activities with Choi Soon-Sil,” he added.

Georgian journalist Tamta Jijavadze from Radio Palitra in Tbilisi says corruption and nepotism are solid and enough reasons for stepping down and for letting others to take the post. She asks, “But here is a question: does South Korea have an appropriate candidate, what will happen after Park Geun-hye’s resignation? Also, as I know the president has already apologized people and stated that she cut off all her ties with her family members. I am not sure how it is possible, but it is a fact that president tries to keep the dialogue with people and she communicates.”

Jijavadze points out the importance of political stability in the country: “I am not deep in this issue, so I think that the issue of resignation of the president should be discussed well enough before an exact decision. But also I can say that there is a legitimate amount of people who demand president’s resignation.”