Civic group activists rally in central Seoul, calling for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye.[Namgung Jin-woong = timeid@ajunews.com]
South Korean President Park Geun-hye appears to be lost in thought, suspending public activities, over how to weather a political crisis prompted by a long-time crony vilified for exerting an enormous influence on state affairs.
Park's personal life, which has been kept under wraps for decades, and questionable ties with her late mentor and father of Choi Soon-sil accused of editing presidential speeches came under media scrutiny this week.
Presidential aides said Friday that Park has lapsed deep into contemplation, following her brief TV speech admitting Choi had acted as a personal advisor, helping the president prepare for speeches.
"President Park is now in contemplation for the flawless operation of state affairs," a presidential Blue House official told reporters. "I think she has been thinking seriously about various matters, including a personnel shake-up."
State prosecutors appeared to be carrying out their duty, summoning government officials and other people involved in the scandal, but public attention has focused on how Choi and her late father Choi Tae-min, a controversial religious leader who died in 1994, have built ties with Park.
There have been unconfirmed reports that relations date back to 1974 when Park's mother was assassinated by an ethnic Korean from Japan. The Choi family was known to have provided spiritual consolation to Park after her father and late president, Park Chung-hee, was assassinated by his intelligence chief in 1979.
WikiLeaks disclosed a classified report written by the US embassy in Seoul on July 20, 2007, when South Korea was in a political whirlpool over the selection of presidential candidates.
At that time, Park was a presidential contender, and the embassy report said she was "forced to explain her own past" such as her relationship with Choi Tae-min, "whom her opponents characterize as a 'Korean Rasputin', and how he controlled Park during her time" when she was acting as first lady after her mother's assassination.
Grigori Rasputin was a Russian peasant, mystical faith healer, and trusted friend of the family of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia.
"Perhaps even more damaging to her image as the maiden who sacrificed herself in the service of the nation upon the assassination of her mother, Park has been linked to the late Choi Tae-min, a charismatic pastor," the report said.
"Rumors are rife that the late pastor had complete control over Park's body and soul during her formative years and that his children accumulated enormous wealth as a result."
Choi Soon-sil, who has no official title, is suspected of acting as Park's personal secretary and spiritual partner after the president put herself into a period of self-imposed isolation in 1979. In the 1980s, the woman became deeply involved in Park's social activities and daily life, selecting her clothes and accessories.
After Park became a political heavyweight, Choi Soon-sil disappeared from public eyes, with her ex-husband, Chung Yun-hoi, serving as Park's chief secretary. The couple divorced in 2014, and their daughter, Yoo-ra, is now staying with her mother in Germany.
With more than a year left in her five-year term, many pundits are concerned about a lame-duck phenomenon or a power vacuum because Park's image and authority were seriously damaged. However, Park is under growing public calls and pressure to distance herself from domestic politics or face impeachment.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
