The Political Journey of President Park Geun Hye : Impeachment and its Aftermath

Introduction: The Impeachment of President Park Geun Hye

In the recent years, the Republic of Korea has seen a major political shift with the impeachment of former President Park Geun Hye. Her impeachment process and trial have not only captured the attention of the Korean people but also the international community. In this article, we will be exploring the events that led to her impeachment, the proceedings of the impeachment, and the impact it had on the Korean people and the international community.

President Park Geun Hye's Corruption Scandal

President Park Geun Hye's corruption scandal came to light in 2016 when the media reported about her close relationship with her friend and advisor, Choi Soon-sil. It was revealed that Choi had been involved in various corrupt activities, such as using her connection with the President to solicit bribes from large corporations and manipulate government decisions in her favor. The Korean people were outraged, and a series of mass protests were held across the country, calling for President Park's resignation.

(I understand that there is a great deal of interest among people abroad regarding the rally calling for the resignation of President Park Geun Hye. I will provide more information about this topic in a separate post later.)

Impeachment Process at the National Assembly

The National Assembly voted to impeach President Park Geun Hye on December 9, 2016. A total of 234 out of 300 lawmakers voted in favor of her impeachment, which was more than the required two-thirds majority. The impeachment was based on allegations of bribery, abuse of power, and leaking government secrets. With the impeachment vote, President Park's powers were suspended, and the Prime Minister took over as the acting President.

Impeachment Trial at the Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court held an impeachment trial for President Park Geun Hye, starting on January 4, 2017. The trial lasted for several months, with the Court ultimately ruling in favor of her impeachment on March 10, 2017. With the Court's ruling, President Park was officially removed from office and the Prime Minister continued to serve as the acting President until the next presidential election.

Special Prosecutor's Investigation and Arrest Result

After President Park's impeachment, a special prosecutor's investigation was launched to further examine the corruption allegations against her. The investigation found evidence of widespread corruption, including bribery and abuse of power. As a result, President Park was arrested on March 31, 2017, and later convicted of multiple charges, including bribery, abuse of power, and leaking government secrets. She was sentenced to 24 years in prison and ordered to pay a large fine.

Korean People's Interest in Democracy and the Meaning of Impeachment

The impeachment of President Park Geun Hye was a significant moment in Korean history, as it marked a crucial step in the country's transition to a more democratic society. The Korean people's interest in democracy and their willingness to stand up against corruption has been demonstrated through the massive protests and their support for the impeachment process. The impeachment also had a significant impact on the international community, sending a strong message that the Korean people will not tolerate corruption and abuse of power by those in positions of authority.

International Evaluation

The international community has generally praised the impeachment of President Park Geun Hye as a positive step towards greater transparency and accountability in Korean politics. The impeachment was seen as a sign that the country was moving towards a more democratic system, with a stronger rule of law and protection of human rights. The international community also viewed the impeachment as a sign of a mature and responsible political system, capable of addressing corruption and abuse of power.

Conclusion

The impeachment of President Park Geun Hye was a seminal event in South Korean history that had far-reaching implications for the country and its people. The events that took place during the impeachment process demonstrated the strength of South Korea's democratic institutions and the Korean people's commitment to the principles of democracy. The international community's positive assessment of the impeachment process was a testament to the maturity of South Korean democracy.

My Opinion

Former President Park Geun Hye was granted a special New Year's pardon by her successor, President Moon Jae-in, on December 31, 2021, four years and nine months (1,736 days) after being sentenced to 22 years in prison on March 31, 2017.

There are differing political evaluations of President Moon's New Year's amnesty. However, among the people around me, there are many negative assessments, with the belief that it was motivated by public opinion ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

Park Geun-hye remains a political symbol for the elderly in Korea. Interestingly, the former prosecutor who arrested her, President Yoon Suk-yeol, is now in office.

It is uncertain what impact former President Park Geun-hye will have on Korean politics in the future.

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Link to media story: The Political Impeachment of President Park Geun Hye

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