I am now the chief editorial writer of The Korea Times. I also worked as the managing editor of the newspaper for 26 months from April 2018. Before that my stints included Politics Desk editor, Business Desk editor, City Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. As a journalist of The Korea Times, the most influential English newspaper of Korea, I have been committed to promoting 'international justice' beyond the social justice pursued by vernacular papers. My career includes working as a visiting scholar in Britain's Cambridge University from 2006-07.
'Choi gate' and economic justice
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By Shim Jae-yun
President Park Geun-hye has plunged the nation into chaos by admitting she let her long-time confidant Choi Soon-sil engage in state affairs. It is embarrassing that Choi made the final touches in presidential speeches and had prior information on grave national policies including sensitive security issues. Political confusion will continue to grip the nation for a long time, darkening the much-touted expectations for an economic rebound.
Park will likely face an intensifying setback including calls for impeachment. The “Choi Soon-sil gate” is continuing to unfold and is perplexing as it comes soon after Park vowed to revise the national constitution to change the power structure. Park’s pledge, however, has faced strong backlash from the start as it lacked sincerity and possibility.
Coincidentally enough, Park might remember yesterday as the saddest day in 37 years since Oct. 26, 1979 when her father and former President Park Chung-hee was assassinated by the chief of his spy agency. Park had long been suffering from betrayal because of hardships since her father’s death. Choi approached Park soon after and has been a close confidant ever since. Park’s reliance on Choi has been deepening even after she took power.
Opponents are firing salvos at Park over her dual and even wicked ways of governance, citing her reversal of previous remarks against the possible constitutional revision. Park’s recent move was an attempt to avoid increasing public criticism over her alleged role in the so-called Choi gate.
The seemingly cheating and mean ways of political maneuvering by the head of state and her associates will leave bad memories throughout society. Such improper behavior by them is “treachery” against what most ordinary citizens who live honestly and justly base on right consciousness.
Last weekend, my family moved to a nearby apartment, employing a moving agency team. Eight workers including two women started their job before 8 a.m. and did not finish until 7 p.m., which means they had to labor for 10 hours except for their lunch time.
My wife and daughter provided them with snacks and drinks. We were sympathetic of their plight as they earn little more than 100,000 won (roughly US$90) a day despite such hard work. But they never complained and made their utmost effort with smiles through the end. They never asked for overtime pay, given the prior deal.
Later we found out that they are one of the best teams in the Gangdong-gu district. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to them. They showed the value of honest diligence and kindness under difficulties. It was like real professionalism and grace exercised by less privileged people.
Members of my family and I talked about the team. Soon our conversation shifted to the “Choi gate.” We were wondering how Choi garnered some 80 billion won from major conglomerates for cultural and sports promotion. Choi and her daughter Chung Yoo-ra basked under the current government, buying luxury villas and a hotel in Germany, to name just a few of their luxuries.
President Park tried to defend Choi by saying the fund raising was voluntarily done by the large companies. But the money was collected through forcible means. Executives of a conglomerate I met recently just cynically smiled at my question whether the Blue House pressed them to grant money for the Mir and K-Sports Foundation.
Park Byung-won, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, lamented that Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) pressed the conglomerates. He added the POSCO board meeting never dreamed of rejecting the proposal for the donation.
There is speculation that relevant authorities and people began to erase the traces of Choi Soon-sil from Park. But efforts need to continue to dig out the truth. Public anger is growing against Park and her government, proven by the record low approval rating of 25 percent. The people will increasingly withdraw support from Park. They have serious doubts about her ability to lead the nation any longer. They only expect the current political chaos will lead to further catastrophe and continue to delay economic recovery.