Choi Tae-min

In this Korean name, the family name is Choi.
Choi Tae-min
Born(1912-05-05)5 May 1912
So-dong, Sariwon, Hwanghae
Died1 May 1994(1994-05-01) (aged 81)
Yeoksam-dong, Seoul
EducationChaeryong Potong School
SpouseLim Seon-yi
ChildrenChoi Soon-sil
RelativesChung Yoo-ra (granddaughter)
Korean name
Hangul
최태민
Hanja
Revised RomanizationChoe Tae-min
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe T'ae-min
Birth name
Hangul
최도원
Hanja
Revised RomanizationChoe Do-won
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe To-wŏn

Choi Tae-min (5 May 1912 – 1 May 1994) was the leader of the Church of Eternal Life, a South Korean cult combining elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and traditional Korean Shamanism.[1] Choi, originally a Buddhist monk, then a convert to Presbyterian pastor, was married six times. He was the mentor of the impeached South Korean president, Park Geun-hye (the daughter of former president Park Chung Hee), until his death in 1994. He allegedly used his relationship with Park to solicit bribes from government officials and businessmen.[2][3] In late 2016, a scandal involving his daughter, Choi Soon-sil, broke out, with allegations that she too has exerted undue influence over President Park.[3][4]

  1. ^ "Shamanistic cult linked to president". Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  2. ^ "South Korea's leader acknowledges ties to woman in scandal". Fox News. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b Choe, Sang-hun (27 October 2016). "A Presidential Friendship Has Many South Koreans Crying Foul". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  4. ^ Kim, Oi-hyun (3 December 2014). "Pres. Park's former aide and his wife may be at the center of ongoing scandal". The Hankyoreh. Retrieved 7 October 2016.