By Yun Suh-young
Dance groups in Korea made a consolidated declaration Tuesday regarding the Choi Soon-sil scandal, demanding President Park Geun-hye step down.
A total of 144 dance groups denounced President Park's close confidants for monopolization of power and exercising it in unethical ways. They demanded the President resign and a clear investigation be held on the so-called "Choi Soon-sil gate." Choi Soon-sil is the President's confidant who is accused of influence-peddling in government policies.
The 144 artist groups come from various genres ranging from traditional Korean dance to ballet and contemporary dance.
"We cannot express how shocked we are seeing the President violate the constitution and cause an influence-peddling scandal. A blacklist of culture and arts industry personnel, oppressing freedom of expression and reshuffling officials in control of cultural organizations _ these are things that cannot be done in the 21st century," said the group's statement.
"By abetting privatization of power, the Park Geun-hye administration has provoked a general collapse on the national arts administration system. It thereby trampled on the self-esteem of artists and annihilated the creative desire of those who were dedicated to nurturing the culture and arts industry."
They also added, "There should be a strict human liquidation of officials and experts who have climbed up the ladder by clinging to Choi Soon-sil's skirt. We hope every wrong is revealed during the special investigation by the prosecution."
Prior to the dance groups' announcement, 55 drama critics also released a similar statement on Sunday.
Dance groups in Korea made a consolidated declaration Tuesday regarding the Choi Soon-sil scandal, demanding President Park Geun-hye step down.
A total of 144 dance groups denounced President Park's close confidants for monopolization of power and exercising it in unethical ways. They demanded the President resign and a clear investigation be held on the so-called "Choi Soon-sil gate." Choi Soon-sil is the President's confidant who is accused of influence-peddling in government policies.
The 144 artist groups come from various genres ranging from traditional Korean dance to ballet and contemporary dance.
"We cannot express how shocked we are seeing the President violate the constitution and cause an influence-peddling scandal. A blacklist of culture and arts industry personnel, oppressing freedom of expression and reshuffling officials in control of cultural organizations _ these are things that cannot be done in the 21st century," said the group's statement.
"By abetting privatization of power, the Park Geun-hye administration has provoked a general collapse on the national arts administration system. It thereby trampled on the self-esteem of artists and annihilated the creative desire of those who were dedicated to nurturing the culture and arts industry."
They also added, "There should be a strict human liquidation of officials and experts who have climbed up the ladder by clinging to Choi Soon-sil's skirt. We hope every wrong is revealed during the special investigation by the prosecution."
Prior to the dance groups' announcement, 55 drama critics also released a similar statement on Sunday.
![[INTERVIEW] How AmazeVR revolutionizes aespa's LYNK-POP concert](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/4431833759c44bdaa414cb314e90f2fe.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[REVIEW] Musical 'Monte Cristo' returns with riveting tale of vengeance, love](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3934be1fa6844478b619a015d610bc5b.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Meet the man behind giant rubber ducks that once took over Seoul](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df32c60c8204448e98ccdb9841366bec.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
