The 2016 South Korean political scandal, often called Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil Gate in South Korea (Korean: 박근혜·최순실 게이트), was a scandal that emerged around October 2016 in relation to the unusual access that Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of shaman-esque cult leader Choi Tae-min, had to President Park Geun-hye of South Korea.[1][2][3][4]
Widespread coverage of this South Korean political scandal began in late October 2016.[5][6] On November 29, Park offered to begin the process of removing herself from power.[7] On December 9, Park was impeached, and then Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn became the acting president.[8] On December 21, a Special Prosecution Team led by Park Young Soo began to investigate the Choi Soon-sil scandal.[9][10] On March 10, 2017, the Constitutional Court of Korea ruled to uphold the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye. All eight judges agreed that President Park abused her power. A new election was held sixty days afterwards, that resulted in the victory of Democratic Party candidate Moon Jae-in. Moon won 41% of the popular vote in the election.[11]
- ^ "'Rasputin-like' friend of South Korean president returns amid protests". The Guardian. October 30, 2016.
- ^ "Cult leader's daughter may upend South Korea presidency". CBS NEWS. October 30, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ "Park Geun-hye and the friendship behind S Korea's presidential crisis". BBC News. October 31, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ "All the Queen's men and women". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- ^ Williams, Jennifer. "The bizarre political scandal that just brought down South Korea's president". Vox. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
- ^ "Investigations into 'Choi Soon-sil gate' widening". The Korea Times. October 23, 2016.
- ^ "South Korea's embattled president offers to relinquish power". Reuters. November 29, 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "After impeachment, South Korea prime minister urges calm, vigilance". Reuters. December 9, 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ "Special Prosecutor pledges to figure out bribery, question President Park". 2016-12-03. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
- ^ "Independent counsel to officially launch probe into influence-peddling scandal". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
- ^ Paula Hancocks and Euan McKirdy (10 March 2017). "South Korea: Constitutional court upholds President Park's impeachment". CNN. Retrieved 2017-03-10.