An opposition politician holds a placard demanding President Park Geun-hye's resignation during her visit to parliament on October 24. [Photo by Namkung Jin-woong]
Political turmoil is looming on the horizon in South Korea after President Park Geun-hye shifted to the offensive, vowing to carry out her duty as chief executive without being deterred by popular demands for her resignation.
Opposition parties and civic groups, however, threatened to organize a fresh round of protests after prosecutors defined Park as a criminal suspect who should be investigated as an accomplice in a scandal involving her longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil.
In a shocking revelation Sunday, prosecutors accused Park of colluding actively or spontaneously with Choi and presidential aides to wrest illegal cash donations from conglomerates.
Through her attorney, Park flatly rejected the announcement as unfair and groundless, saying she would reject any direct inquiry by state prosecutors while carrying out her duty normally as chief executive.
"There is no logical basis to accept it because prosecutors described the president as an accomplice, based on imagination and presumption," Park's attorney, Yoo Yeong-ha, said in a statement.
The attorney insisted Park had not been involved in any state projects or business deals for personal gains and did not know "at all" about Choi's wrongdoing. "There have been no improper presidential orders to help a certain person or enterprises with a selfish motive."
The presidential office supported Yoo's theory, saying Park would establish her innocence through a separate probe by an independent counsel. "An unwarranted political offensive based on unilateral allegations by prosecutors will aggravate the disruption of state affairs," spokesman Jung Youn-kuk told reporters.
"The president will make every effort in a humble manner to ensure there will be no power vacuum," the spokesman said, responding to a warning from opposition parties that Park would be impeached if she drags her feet.
Meanwhile, two main opposition parties decided to push for Park's impeachment, urging some disgruntled ruling party legislators to follow suit. A presidential impeachment requires approval from two-thirds of the 300 National Assembly members. There are 171 opposition and independent lawmakers.
After parliamentary approval, the impeachment motion will be sent to the Constitutional Court for up six months of deliberation. During the period, the president will be suspended.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
