‘Rasputin’s daughter’ plunges Korean president into crisis
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 the reputation of President Park Geun-hye lay in tatters yesterday 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 Soon-sil is said to have influenced Ms 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.
Her father, Choi Tae-min, was the head of a cult-like group until his death in 1994. He referred to himself as the “Future Buddha” and established a sect called the Eternal Life Church.
The elder Choi reportedly enjoyed considerable influence over Ms Park, who describes herself as a Catholic, prompting diplomats to refer to him as “Korea’s Rasputin”.
Both women are understood to have met decades ago and formed a close relationship when Ms Choi’s father allegedly helped the future president contact her late mother in the afterlife.
Since then, the pair have reportedly been inseparable – though Ms Choi has never held an official position, nor did she have security clearance.
The disclosure has caused 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.
Yesterday, prosecutors confiscated computers and documents from the homes of a top presidential adviser and two other aides as well as a deputy culture minister.
A computer seized during the raid is said to contain documents which show Ms Choi edited a landmark speech the president gave in Germany in 2014 which outlined her unification plans with the North. Ms Park denies she ever had an improper relationship with Ms Choi.
Ms Choi, who is currently in Germany, says she is too ill to return to Seoul for questioning over the affair.
“I am suffering from a nervous breakdown and I have been diagnosed with heart issues,” she told Segye Ilbo newspaper. “If I recover, I will ask for forgiveness, and will accept punishment if I did anything wrong.”
The newspaper also reported that Ms Choi had privileged access to sensitive military intelligence.
Her lawyers say she is co-operating with the investigation.
Prosecutors have taken in two of Ms Choi’s aides for questioning, including one who told reporters that she had been behaving as the “de facto regent”.
Prof Shin Yool, from Myongji University, told The Washington Post the state is facing the “biggest crisis” in its 70year history. “The president has lost her ability to function as leader,” she said.
Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, is said to be delighted by the scandal.