Parties urge Park to tackle Choi Soon-sil scandal head on, take decisive steps

South Korea's ruling and opposition parties urged President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday to properly tackle allegations that her close confidante has been involved in state affairs, adding that her options include giving up her party ties and the appointment of a special prosecutor to probe all allegations raised.

Since the news broke earlier in the week, the political discourse has been engulfed by the so-called Choi Soon-sil scandal, which even compelled Park to apologize to the people.

Local reports revealed Choi had received and edited dozens of presidential speeches before they were made public, as well as other confidential documents, despite holding no official post in the Park administration.

Broadcaster JTBC found the speeches on a computer that was thrown away at Choi's office in southern Seoul.

"South Korea's Constitution stipulates the country has only one president. But it turned out two presidents led the nation," said Rep. Choo Mi-ae, the head of the main opposition Democratic Party, claiming Choi virtually acted as the other president.

"Testimonies showed Choi received presidential reports from Cheong Wa Dae every day and gave orders. Other reports showed Choi heads a secretive organization and imposes influence on state affairs, as well as the business community," Choo argued.

Choi is the fifth daughter of Park's late mentor Choi Tae-min who died in 1994. Observers said Park built a friendship with the Choi family after her mother and then-first lady Yook Young-soo was assassinated in 1974.

On Tuesday, Park admitted that Choi Soon-sil "offered me personal comments" on her speeches and campaigns, adding that the woman in question had provided her with help when she was going through hard times. After the death of her mother, Park's father, former President Park Chung-hee, was killed by his own spy chief in 1979.

"If the allegations continue to rise and stay unattended, the public outcry will be directed towards the president. We urge Park to have a deep self-reflection and make a prompt decision," the lawmaker added.

Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the opposition's floor leader, added although the president cannot be prosecuted, it does not mean that she is immune from the obligation to reveal the truth.

Some in the opposition demanded the resignation of the Cabinet over the incident.

Lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party also expressed deep concerns over the allegations being raised, with some of its members demanding Park give up her Saenuri membership.

During her interview with SBS Radio, Rep. Na Kyung-won of Saenuri said Park would have no choice but to leave the party, adding other top staff members of the presidential office should resign.

Rep. Kim Young-tae of Saenuri echoed the view, adding there must be a thorough investigation on the matter, and that having Park linked to Saenuri will emerge as a heavy burden for the party going forward.

Other lawmakers, on the other hand, expressed concerns over the possible secession, adding Saenuri also cannot avoid criticism.

"Asking Park to leave the party is a mere act of evading responsibility," said Rep. Choung Byoung-guk of Saenuri during an interview with PBC Radio, adding the ruling party should also focus efforts on mending the situation.

Since 1987, former President Lee Myung-bak was the only head of the country to maintain his party membership throughout his term. The remaining presidents had dropped their memberships due to their involvement in corruption and other strife within the parties. (Yonhap)