Park sent off by former 'courtiers'
By Jun Ji-hye
Seven Liberty Korea Party (LKP) lawmakers gathered in front of former President Park Geun-hye’s private residence in southern Seoul, Thursday, to see her off on her way to a local court reviewing an arrest warrant for her.
The core loyalists visited her house despite the public’s negative perceptions toward their blind support for the ill-fated former leader even after she was removed from office.
The lawmakers said there was no political purpose for the visit, saying they just did “what they thought was right.” However, the lawmakers’ ties to Park are highly likely to be the subject of an investigation under the next administration.
Right before leaving for court, Park told the lawmakers, “You came even though you were busy. I am sorry,” according to Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun who was present.
The lawmakers responded, “Take care of your health,” and, “You will overcome this.”
Rep. Lee Woo-hyun told reporters, “I hope it will not happen, but if she is arrested by any chance, today will be the last day to see her as a free woman. There was no political purpose in our visit.”
State prosecutors filed the request, Monday, to detain Park on charges of bribery, abuse of authority, extortion and sharing government secrets with an unauthorized person, citing the graveness of the alleged crimes and the possibility of the destruction of evidence. This came after she was removed from office, March 10.
When she left Cheong Wa Dae and moved to her private house, March 12, she was also welcomed by eight pro-Park lawmakers waiting for her in front of the residence.
Since then, Pro-Park members have continued to make moves construed as protecting her.
Rep. Cho Won-jin submitted a petition, Wednesday, urging the court to reject the prosecution’s demand for an arrest warrant for Park.
“Requesting a warrant for the arrest of a former female president, who sincerely cooperated with prosecution questioning that lasted more than 21 hours, is too harsh for a former president, especially when considering the negative impact it would have on the dignity of the entire nation,” Cho said.
Rep. Kim Jin-tae, a Park loyalist and a presidential hopeful of the conservative party, has also demanded more “respect” and “honorable treatment” for Park due to her being a former president, calling her a “princess forced out of the royal palace.”
But their behavior has only caused criticism and repulsion from the public and other political parties.
Rep. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the conservative Bareun Party, said, “The only thing the LKP has done so far was changing its name from the Saenuri Party. Its interim leader In Myung-jin failed to clean out the pro-Park faction that ruined the country.”
Even some members of the LKP are raising voices against the pro-Park faction, calling on the party to expel them, according to sources.