Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
Parties engulfed by political strife
A massive rally, calling for newly appointed Justice Minister Cho Kuk's resignation, is being held in central Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
President Moon Jae-in took office in May 2017 vowing to heal the nation's deep divide following the impeachment of his predecessor. Slightly more than two years later, his decision to appoint his trusted aide Cho Kuk as justice minister in September has caused a severe division among the people, with his cherished pledge for “national unity” sounding increasingly hollow.
Protesters in support of Moon's push for judicial reform, led by Cho, held a rally in Seocho-dong and other parts of the country over the weekend to show their support for the scandal-ridden justice minister, while those against him took to the streets in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul. Some 300 protesters even spent the night near Cheong Wa Dae, calling on the President to dismiss Cho amid the prosecution's widening investigation into his wife and family members for alleged corruption and other illegalities.
The controversy over Cho has also led to an escalating political battle between the ruling bloc in defense of the justice minister, and the opposition parties.
Criticism has surged against the National Assembly for focusing more on political strife and creating division among citizens. Insiders say this undermines the role of the Assembly in addressing the real issues regarding the people, and weakens the country's parliamentary democracy.
Rep. Lee Hae-chan, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), criticized the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), Friday, for ignoring the damage from Typhoon Mitag, which killed six people. “The LKP gave up being a political party by focusing on holding protests when there were hundreds of victims in constituencies affected by the typhoon which is a national disaster,” Lee said during a party meeting.
The remarks came one day after the LKP and conservative groups held large street rallies in Gwanghwamun Square, northern Seoul, calling for Cho to resign. Following the rally, Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the LKP, pledged that his party will not stop fighting unless President Moon decides to remove Cho.
This is not the first time the LKP has begun street protests to show its opposition to the government since Hwang took charge of the party in February. Hwang and fellow lawmakers shaved their heads in front of the presidential office, calling for Cho's resignation.
The minor ultra-rightist Our Republican Party has been holding street rallies every week for months calling for the release of the imprisoned former President Park Geun-hye.
National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang criticized the political parties for not focusing on their duties and holding street rallies instead. He was quoted by his spokesman Han Min-soo as saying, “Citizens have high expectations on the parliament and political activities. I think [politicians] gave up paying attention to the people's livelihood and are focusing on power games between the parties. The Assembly should be a melting pot to dissolve conflicts and confrontation. I am worried about the current political situation which ignites them.”
Some insiders point out that the continued street demonstrations have been somewhat anticipated since the candlelit protests against the former Park administration had an important role in the creation of the current administration. “The Moon Jae-in administration was created with the candlelit protests,” a DPK lawmaker said. “Citizens are aware of the impact of public rallies underlined by this administration,” a DPK lawmaker said.
The political parties are holding the rallies to take advantage of the situation before the general election in April 2020, according to some analysts.