Televised graft hearing turns into drama fix for millions

Seoul: A televised hearing into a massive political scandal has turned into a daily drama fix for millions of South Koreans, riveted by its moveable cast of pampered tycoons, tough-talking lawmakers and an oddly heroic toyboy.

The ongoing, two-month hearing is seeking to get to the bottom of a corruption scandal that has engulfed President Park Geun-hye and brought millions of protesters onto the streets to demand her removal.

Park stands accused of colluding with the woman at the centre of whole affair, her long-time friend and confidante Choi Soon-sil who is now awaiting trial on charges of fraud and abuse of power.

The sessions so far have provided moments of high-drama, including the sight of lawmakers grilling and chastising the country’s most powerful businessmen.

But it was a young, obscure fashion designer with a slightly dodgy past as a male escort, who stole the show with his accounts of Choi’s personal life and the influence she wielded over Park.

While most of the tycoons and senior officials stayed as tightlipped as possible under questioning, Koh Young-tae stood out with his candid testimony.

He described how Choi had treated Park’s former deputy sport’s minister as her “personal assistant” and how clothing and bags he provided Choi ended up being selected for the president’s official wardrobe.

Koh denied being romantically involved with the 60-year-old, but admitted that the two had been close to the point where she often visited his home, until a puppy soured their ties.

“Choi asked me in 2014 to take care of her daughter’s puppy briefly ... and came to my home when I left it alone in the house to go out to play golf,” Koh said.

“She was upset that I left the dog alone in the house, so we had a huge fight,” he said.

The spat is now seen as key to unravelling the whole scandal, as a disgruntled Koh tipped off reporters about Choi’s hold over Park, which extended to editing presidential speeches.

Online users have hailed Koh as a “hero” while one lawmaker praised him as the man who had “opened Pandora’s box.” — AFP