South Korea’s president is fighting for her political life. A growing scandal is consuming time, focus, and the attention of several parts of the government. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
South Korean President Park Geun Hye’s approval rating is down to just 5%. That’s a record low for any Korean president, and prospects for a rebound look grim.
There are allegations of influence-peddling—involving a long-time friend of hers and a growing number of aides….and now a widening series of investigations.
On Sunday, Park was named an accomplice as part of a criminal corruption case against her friend and two aides. She cannot be indicted as a sitting president, but is subject to arrest after she’s out of office. A separate process is expected to soon lead to an independent counsel.
A third line of inquiry will likely get underway shortly with a parliamentary investigation.
There’s also the possibility of an impeachment trial. Which would require agreement from six of the nine judges on South Korea’s Constitutional Court. The court of public opinion is already firmly against the president.
The most recent polling shows 70% want her to resign…and public rallies against her are growing in size.
As for President Park, the latest word from a spokesman on Tuesday was that she has increased the number of lawyers she’s using from four to five.
