Nepotism claims spark outrage in South Korea

CULT LINK ALLEGED

Three years ago, she was hailed as South Korea’s saviour after becoming its first female president and adopting a tough stance on the North’s brutal dictator, Kim Jong-un.

But t he reputation of President Park Geun- hye is in tatters after she was plunged into a murky scandal involving shadowy advisers, nepotism claims and even whispers of a sinister religious cult.

At the centre of the outcry is a mysterious female friend unmasked last week as her secret confidante. Choi Soonsil is said to have influenced Park on everything from her wardrobe to her strategy on tackling North Korea. She is also accused of forming an exclusive clique of unofficial advisers called the eight fairies, who enjoyed extensive access to the president.

Choi’s father Choi Taemin was the head of a cultlike group until his death in 1994. He referred to himself as the future Buddha, and established the Eternal Life Church. The elder Choi reportedly enjoyed influence over Park, who describes herself as a Catholic, prompting diplomats to refer to him as Korea’s Rasputin.

The women are understood to have met decades ago and formed a close relationship when Choi’s father allegedly helped the future president contact her late mother in the afterlife. Since then, the pair have reportedly been inseparable — though Choi has never held an official position, nor did she have security clearance.

The disclosure has sparked a tidal wave of anger in South Korea and has led to the country’s once- celebrated leader facing the possible end of her presidency and even impeachment. Last Friday she ordered her entire cabinet to resign after her approval ratings plunged to a historic low of 17 per cent.

On Saturday, prosecutors confiscated computers and documents from the homes of a top presidential adviser, two other aides and a deputy culture minister. And Sunday, she accepted the resignation of her chief of staff, Lee Won- jong, who offered to resign earlier in the week. The president also accepted resignations of four other chief secretaries.

A computer seized during the raid is said to contain documents that show Choi edited a landmark speech the president gave in Germany in 2014 which outlined her unification plans with the North.