Park's 'impeachment' dominates internet searches
President Park Guen-hye’s “impeachment” topped Naver’s most-searched words as of 4:22 p.m. Tuesday. / Courtesy of Naver
By Lee Han-soo, Park Si-soo
President Park Guen-hye’s “impeachment” shot to the top of searches on Korea’s major portal sites amid an escalating influence-peddling scandal involving her longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil.
“Impeachment,” “Park Geun-hye impeachment” and “Resignation” swept the list of most-searched words on Naver and Daum, the nation’s two biggest portal sites, Tuesday afternoon.
As of 4 p.m., nine out of the top 10 searches on Naver were related to President Park or her impeachment.
The scandal centers on Choi, who is believed to have controlled state affairs, even presidential speeches and personnel management, behind the scenes by taking advantage of her closeness to Park.
President Park apologized over the scandal Tuesday afternoon, saying: “Regardless of the reasons involved, I am sorry that (the scandal) has caused national concerns.”