ED Not much time left
Leaders should meet soon to discuss all issues
In a press conference on Monday, Rep. Kim Moo-sung, the former head of the ruling Saenuri Party, accused President Park Geun-hye of violating the Constitution and urged her to drop her party membership. Kim, leader of the governing party’s non-mainstream faction, even said the female head of state deserves impeachment, blaming her for the swirling power-abuse and corruption scandal involving Choi Soon-sil. Although the party’s mainstreamers expressed opposition to Park’s departure from the party, the fact that even Saenuri’s senior lawmakers strongly voice the need to kick out the incumbent President testifies to the gravity of the latest political crisis.
Little sympathy for Park was also shown on Saturday when tens of thousands of protestors marched through the streets of Seoul in one of the largest demonstrations in years, demanding she step down.
One might wonder if Park’s culpability is serious enough for a large number of citizens to publicly demand the resignation of the incumbent chief executive at the explosion of public anger. Although investigations into the crippling scandal have just begun, what has been revealed so far through news reports makes everyone’s jaw drop.
Suspicions against Choi, Park’s longtime friend, are allegedly far wider than thought. She is accused of coercing businesses to donate $70 million to two nonprofit foundations she controlled and meddling in state affairs, including appointments and policy decisions. What’s more lamentable is that Park allowed Choi to manipulate power from the shadows, causing the public to doubt her judgment and leadership.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is threatening to push for Park’s ouster unless she distances herself from domestic affairs and transfers her duties to a prime minister recommended by the National Assembly. Park still adheres to her nomination last week of Kim Byong-joon as the next prime minister, and presidential aides say Kim would be granted enormous executive power that can be allowed under relevant laws.
The current political logjam arises from Park’s unilateral nomination of the former top aide of the late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun and her lingering wish to actively take charge of state affairs. But this will prove to be futile greed, considering her de facto political impeachment ― as evidenced from Park’s latest approval rating of 5 percent.
At this juncture, the most important thing is for President Park and other party leaders to meet as soon as possible to discuss all issues. During the meeting, they could discuss the creation of a neutral cabinet and Park’s exit from the Saenuri Party and retreat from domestic affairs. In this case, Park might have to perform the minimum possible role in diplomacy and national security as the commander-in-chief of the military.
An essential prerequisite to this is for Park to withdraw her nomination of Kim Byong-joon or for Kim to give up his nomination. At any rate, it is necessary to give Park a chance to explain her plan to fix the current mess to the political leaders.
To be sure, there is not much time, given another massive rally scheduled for this coming Saturday. Hopefully, the President and political leaders should negotiate a compromise before then.