President Park Geun-hye delivered her third national address Tuesday amid an impeachment push by opposition parties. In a five-minute speech, Park said that she will quit according to procedures set by the National Assembly.
The address came on the back of a recommendation by some of her loyalists to resign in an honorable manner rather than being stripped of her office through impeachment.
Although belated, Park’s announcement that she is willing to leave office before the end of her term in February 2018 should be an occasion to restore decency at Cheong Wa Dae and normalize state affairs.
There are two things wrong with what Cheong Wa Dae said is Park’s final message on the influence-peddling scandal.
First, Park once again put herself ahead of the nation by not announcing her immediate resignation. She mentioned “resignation procedures within the boundaries of law,” including cutting short her term. It is irresponsible for the President to leave the decision of her fate to the Assembly rather than being clear about when she will leave office. It is regrettable that Park is sticking to her unilateral ways even in the final phase of her presidency. Park deserves harsh criticism from civic groups and opposition parties that the third address is merely a tactic to cling to power rather than a sincere intention to step down.
The ambiguity of her address on the timing of her departure will only lead to extensive political wrangling. After the address, the ruling Saenuri Party called on the opposition parties to terminate their push for an impeachment motion. But the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said it will still pursue impeachment procedures regardless of Park’s announcement to leave office early.
With Park in office, the nation cannot move forward. The parties should consider what is best for the country at a time when Korea faces grave challenges on security and on the economy. The Assembly should reach an agreement on the swift removal of the shamed president so that the nation can get ready to elect a new President as soon as possible.
Another glaring problem of Park’s address is that it reflected the President’s lack of understanding of the gravity of her wrongdoings. The prosecution accused Park of conspiring with her friend Choi Soon-sil, who has been charged with abuse of power. But Park still defended herself by saying that she has never sought personal gains throughout her political career and stressed that she has only worked for the national interest. It was not the time and place to make such excuses when the people are furious with her for refusing to be questioned by state prosecutors. She should deliver a full account of her part in the Choi scandal in the forthcoming independent counsel probe.