Chronic nepotism in South Korea
IT HAS been a rapid and pitiful fall from the pinnacle of power.
Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye has been arrested by prosecutors over bribery and other allegations.
Park is the country’s third former president to be arrested, 22 years after former military strongmen Chun Doohwan and Roh Tae-woo, who were subsequently convicted of insurrection and amassing fortunes illegitimately.
The main allegation against Park is her involvement in securing funds for foundations from companies, including South Korea’s largest conglomerate Samsung Group. Park’s friend Choi Soon-sil is believed to have used the foundations for personal gain.
In March, the Constitutional Court upheld Park’s impeachment, ruling her abuse of power to benefit Choi as unconstitutional. Following the ruling, Park agreed to be questioned by prosecutors and denied any wrongdoing.
Citing the risk for destruction of evidence, the prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Park from the court, which was duly issued. The prosecutors and the court appear to have acted to avoid public anger that may have erupted had she been indicted without arrest.
Demonstrators continued to protest after the impeachment, chanting slogans calling for her detention. Opinion surveys conducted in late March showed more than 70 percent of respondents supported Park’s arrest.
Some conservatives have strongly opposed the arrest, saying it was “politically motivated”. As Park is likely to be indicted, it is inevitable that divisions in society will escalate.
South Korean presidents – including liberal leaders – and their family members have been engulfed in money-related scandals, even after the country became a democracy in 1987. It can be said that Park gave her friend the room for exploitation and has subsequently found herself joining the list of disgraced presidents.
Behind such scandals is nepotism, a chronic illness that has plagued South Korean politics.
Enormous power over personnel and budgetary matters is concentrated in the presidency. People with connections through family, community or friendship flock around the president to obtain the highest possible gain.
Reformation of this kind of political climate is no easy task.
Liberals have gained momentum towards the May 9 presidential election. It is alarming that they tend to deny agreements reached for foreign and security matters, while stepping up criticism of the Park administration’s policies.
The former opposition party leader – a presidential candidate who has led polls and is known for an anti-Japan and pro-North Korea political stance – is calling for renegotiations with Japan over the issue of comfort women.
Park’s prosecution is a domestic matter. Trying to withdraw the deal for which both Japan and South Korea made compromises would be a misdirected move.