‘Treason by a secret government’ -thousands demand South Korean President step down

The largest anti-government demonstration in the capital in nearly a year came a day after Ms Park apologised on live television following suspicion that she allowed a mysterious confidante to manipulate power from the shadows.

Holding banners, candles and colorful signs that read “Park Geun-hye out” and “Treason by a secret government,” a sea of demonstrators filled a large square in front of an old palace gate and the nearby streets, singing and thunderously applauding speeches calling for the ouster of the increasingly unpopular president.

They shifted into a slow march in streets around City Hall, shouting “Arrest Park Geun-hye,” “‘Step down, criminal” and “We can’t take this any longer,” before moving back to the square and cheering on more speeches.

Earlier in the week, prosecutors arrested Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader and a longtime friend of Ms Park, and detained two former presidential aides over allegations that they pressured businesses into giving $70 million ($95.5 million NZD) to two foundations Choi controlled.

There are also allegations that Choi, despite having no government job, regularly received classified information and meddled in various state affairs, including the appointment of ministers and policy decisions.

“Park should squarely face the prosecution’s investigation and step down herself. If she doesn’t, politicians should move to impeach her,” said Kim Seo-yeon, one of the many college students who participated in the protest. “She absolutely lost all authority as president over the past few weeks.”

Police estimated the crowd at 45,000, although protest organisers said about 200,000 people turned out.

“How many more astonishing things must happen before this country changes for the better?” said Park Won-soon, the opposition mayor of Seoul and a potential presidential candidate, vowing to push for Park’s resignation.

In yesterday’s televised apology, the conservative president promised to accept a direct investigation into her actions, but avoided the more damning allegation that Choi perhaps had interfered with important government decisions on policy and personnel.

One national poll released yesterday had Ms Park’s approval rating at five percent, the lowest for any president in South Korea since the country achieved democracy in the late 1980s following decades of military dictatorship.

Ms Park has 15 months left in her term. If she resigns, an election must be held within 60 days.

Read more at:www.tvnz.co.nz