What is going on in Korea? Why are tens of thousands of Korean citizens taking to the streets and protesting for their president Park Geun-Hye’s resignation?

Recently, many of my friends and family members have asked me why millions of angry Korean 시민들(citizens) are asking for their 대통령(president), Park Geun-Hye’s 탄핵(impeachment)?

I will give you a brief summary of the current crisis in Korean presidency and the 스캔들(scandal) that has rocked South Korea since October of 2016.

 The Center of Political Scandal

So called, Choi Soon-sil Gate has been a hot potato in Korean media since October. The revelation of her influence in Korean 정치(politics) and 부패(corruption) in her private life has rocked South Korea for over a month. Who is Choi Soon-sil? She is a daughter of a controversial religious leader, Choi Tae-min, and a long time friend of president Park. She was involved in the president’s day-to-day life such as wardrobe selection and spiritual advice. Although she did not hold any official government position, she edited the president’s official 연설(speeches) and also had access to some confidential information. She abused her friendship with the president to benefit her personal gains. She is accused of manipulating government affairs, abusing her power to extort millions of dollars from big companies to her two foundations, Mir and K-sport, and bending university admission rules for her daughter, Chung Yoo-ra. These scandals caused President Park’s official apologies to the public, reshuffling of the cabinet members, and the 사퇴(resignation) of the president of 이화여대(Ewha Women’s University) over the allegation surrounding the Choi’s daughter. The president of Ewha Women’s University has resigned over the allegation surrounding the connections to Choi’s daughter’s admission. Her influence reached many corners of the Korean 정부(government), 기업(business), 연예계(entertainment world), and so on.

Crisis in Korean Presidency

On Friday, December 9, 234 out of 300 lawmakers voted to impeach president Park and suspended her from the presidency. 헌법 재판소(Constitutional court) has 180 days to decide on the 판결(ruling) whether to validate her impeachment or not. Until the court’s deliberation, Prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will be the acting president of South Korea. President Park was supposed to end her 임기(term) in 2018; therefore, if she leaves the office through the impeachment validation of the court or through her resignation, a new presidential 선거(election) will need to be held within 60 days.

Millions of Korean citizens protested for President Park’s impeachment and cheered on the deliberation of the lawmakers’ 결정(decision). It will be interesting to watch how the Korean government and citizens will deal with this new chapter of ambivalence in Korean politics.

If you are interested in reading more about Choi Soon-sil and President Park’s stories, please check out the following links.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37971085

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-korean-assembly-set-to-vote-on-presidents-impeachment/2016/12/08/b1429d8c-bd8c-11e6-ae79-bec72d34f8c9_story.html?utm_term=.726ca4cf49e9

감사합니다! (Thank you!)

 *** Related Vocabulary ***

Click Here For Pronunciation

1. 시민들 (citizens)
2. 대통령 (president)
3. 탄핵 (impeachment)
4. 스캔들 (scandal)
5. 정치 (politics)
6. 부패 (corruption)
7. 연설 (speeches)
8. 사퇴 (resignation)
9. 이화여대 (Ewha Women’s University)
10. 정부 (government),
11. 기업 (business)
12. 연예계 (entertainment world)
13. 헌법 재판소 (Constitutional court)
14. 판결 (ruling)
15. 임기 (term)
16. 선거 (election)
17. 결정 (decision)