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((Short description|President Park Geun-hye corruption scandal))
[[File:Park Geun-hye presidential portrait.png|thumb|[[Park Geun-hye]] (pictured) was accused of being improperly influenced by [[Choi Soon-sil]]]]
The '''2016 South Korean political scandal''', often called '''Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil Gate''' in South Korea (((lang-ko|박근혜·최순실 게이트))), was a scandal that emerged around October 2016 in relation to the unusual access that [[Choi Soon-sil]], the daughter of [[Shamanism|shaman]]-esque [[cult]] leader [[Choi Tae-min]], had to President [[Park Geun-hye]] of South Korea.<ref>((cite news|title='Rasputin-like' friend of South Korean president returns amid protests|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/south-korea-rasputin-like-friend-president-park-geun-hye-returns|work=The Guardian|date=October 30, 2016))</ref><ref>((cite news|title=Cult leader's daughter may upend South Korea presidency|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cult-leaders-daughter-may-upend-south-korea-presidency/|access-date=31 October 2016|work=CBS NEWS|date=October 30, 2016))</ref><ref>((cite news|title=Park Geun-hye and the friendship behind S Korea's presidential crisis|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37820112|access-date=31 October 2016|work=BBC News|date=October 31, 2016))</ref><ref>((cite web|title=All the Queen's men and women|url=http://graphics.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/Interactives/2017/03/south-korea-scandal-animated/index.html|website=The Straits Times|access-date=21 March 2017))</ref>

Widespread coverage of this South Korean [[political scandal]] began in late October 2016.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/world/2016/11/30/13775920/south-korea-president-park-geun-hye-political-scandal|title=The bizarre political scandal that just brought down South Korea's president|last=Williams|first=Jennifer|newspaper=Vox|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_216623.html|title=Investigations into 'Choi Soon-sil gate' widening|date=October 23, 2016|website=[[The Korea Times]]))</ref> On November 29, Park offered to begin the process of removing herself from power.<ref>((cite news|title=South Korea's embattled president offers to relinquish power|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKBN13O093|access-date=29 November 2016|work=Reuters|date=November 29, 2016))</ref> On December 9, Park was [[Impeachment of Park Geun-hye|impeached]], and then Prime Minister [[Hwang Kyo-ahn]] became the acting president.<ref>((cite news|title=After impeachment, South Korea prime minister urges calm, vigilance|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKBN13Z04H|access-date=12 December 2016|work=Reuters|date=December 9, 2016))</ref> On December 21, a Special Prosecution Team led by Park Young Soo began to investigate the Choi Soon-sil scandal.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/773095.html|title=Special Prosecutor pledges to figure out bribery, question President Park|date=2016-12-03|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/20/0200000000AEN20161220007800315.html|title=Independent counsel to officially launch probe into influence-peddling scandal|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en))</ref> 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 [[2017 South Korean presidential election|new election was held]] sixty days afterwards, that resulted in the victory of [[Democratic Party of Korea|Democratic Party]] candidate [[Moon Jae-in]]. Moon won 41% of the popular vote in the election.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/09/asia/south-korea-park-guen-hye-impeachment-upheld/index.html|title=South Korea: Constitutional court upholds President Park's impeachment|author=Paula Hancocks and Euan McKirdy|website=CNN|date=10 March 2017|access-date=2017-03-10))</ref>

==Background==
===Choi Soon-sil===
((Main||Choi Soon-sil))

[[Choi Soon-sil]] had known [[President of South Korea|President]] [[Park Geun-hye]] since 1974, when Choi's father, [[Choi Tae-min]], offered to counsel and advise Park as she and her family were grieving after the assassination of Park's mother, then-[[first lady]] [[Yuk Young-soo]].<ref>((cite news|title=AP EXPLAINS: What we know about S. Korean political scandal|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7896b5e6adf942d5ad0bc20d9603a2f8/ap-explains-what-we-know-about-s-korean-political-scandal|access-date=31 October 2016|agency=Associated Press|date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=31 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031213715/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7896b5e6adf942d5ad0bc20d9603a2f8/ap-explains-what-we-know-about-s-korean-political-scandal|url-status=dead))</ref> In 2007, a South Korean [[news magazine]] publicized a thirty-year-old [[National Intelligence Service (South Korea)|Korean Central Intelligence Agency]] report, revealing that Choi Tae-min initially approached Park by telling her that the deceased Yuk had appeared to him in his dreams, asking him to help her daughter.<ref>((cite web|url=http://qz.com/821612/a-rasputinesque-mystery-woman-and-a-cultish-religion-could-take-down-south-koreas-president-park-geun-hye/|title=A Rasputinesque mystery woman and a cultish religion could take down South Korea's president|date=28 October 2016 ))</ref> A [[United States diplomatic cables leak|leaked diplomatic cable]] from the [[Embassy of the United States, Seoul|U.S. embassy in Seoul]] reported subsequent rumors that Choi was a "Korean [[Grigori Rasputin|Rasputin]]" who "had complete control over Park's body and soul during her formative years and...his children accumulated enormous wealth as a result."<ref>((cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/10/28/2016102801342.html|title=Leaked U.S. Embassy Cable Warned of 'Rasputin' Behind Park|last=Lim|first=Min-hyuk|date=28 October 2016|newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|access-date=28 October 2016))</ref> In response to this scrutiny, Park called Choi Tae-min a "patriot" and stated she was grateful for his counsel and comfort during "difficult times."

In late 2016, reports surfaced which raised questions that Choi Soon-sil had inappropriate access to, and possible influence over, President Park. Choi had allegedly been given regular reports on Park's schedule, speeches, and personnel arrangements, and had even seen classified information on secret meetings with [[North Korea]]. Choi was also alleged to have dictated, or at the least influenced, Park's decision-making on everything from her choice of handbags, to public statements, to state affairs.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21711889-if-she-has-leave-presidential-palace-it-will-not-be-first-time-south-koreas-president|title=South Korea's president fights impeachment and other demons|date=2016-12-17|newspaper=The Economist|issn=0013-0613|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/767405.html|title='It's actually a system where Choi Sun-sil tells the President what to do'|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>

Choi has been indicted for extorting bribes, abusing power illegally and leaking classified documents.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-korean-president-park-played-key-role-in-scandal-prosecutors-say-1479619377|title=South Korean President Aided Extortion Scheme: Prosecutors|last1=Gale|first1=Alastair|date=2016-11-20|last2=Nam|first2=In-Soo|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> Choi is also accused of having influenced [[Ewha Womans University]] to change their admission criteria in order for her daughter [[Chung Yoo-ra]] to be given a place there.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/south-korea-rasputin-like-friend-president-park-geun-hye-returns|title='Rasputin-like' friend of South Korean president returns amid protests|date=30 October 2016|work=The Guardian|last1=McCurry|first1=Justin))</ref>

===Censorship and early reporting===
The Park administration sought to influence the media in various ways, including through business ties with media executives, and had established a commission to harass and prosecute social media critics, including those who held her accountable for the handling of the 2014 [[sinking of MV Sewol]], in which 304 civilians died.<ref>((Cite web |date=2017-02-24 |title=South Korea ((!)) Country report ((!)) Freedom in the World ((!)) 2015 |url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/south-korea |access-date=2023-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224080057/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/south-korea |archive-date=2017-02-24 ))</ref> Choi's name had been completely obscured from public records through a variety of means. In July 2016, Park's illegal business ties to Choi Soon-sil were uncovered by a reporter working for [[Chosun Broadcasting Company]], who even cornered Choi and attempted to secure an interview, but his report was [[Spike (journalism)|spiked]] by executives at the company. In September, more cautious stories were printed by newspapers, alluding to Park's shady business deals, and on September 20, ''[[The Hankyoreh]]'' was able to independently uncover Choi's name by interviewing employees at a [[Massage parlor#Context|massage parlor]]. The managing editor of ''The Hankyoreh'' published a public appeal for Chosun Broadcasting Company to air the spiked story.<ref name="nhk">[[NHK]], November 19, 2018.　アナザーストーリーズ「パク・クネ 弾劾の舞台裏～その時 韓国は沸騰した～」</ref> Following this story, investigation of Choi deepened, but her exact relationship with Park was still unclear.

== Discovery of Choi Soon-sil's tablet computer ==
Reporters covering the story for ''[[JTBC Newsroom]]'' located a rental office in [[Germany]] which had previously been temporarily used by Choi. There, they retrieved a [[Samsung]] [[tablet computer]] which contained her login information.<ref name="nhk"/> They found that Choi had received drafts of 44 presidential speeches on the tablet before she abandoned it. One of the most troubling of these was a [[Microsoft Word]] document which contained a corrected draft of a speech made by Park in Germany on March 28, 2014.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=tvh&sid2=742&oid=437&aid=0000135060|title=[Independence] Presidents '44 speeches ...' to secret 'Dresden' |website=[[Naver News]]|access-date=2017-09-11))</ref> To avoid [[plausible deniability]] by Park, they initially reported on October 19 that anonymous sources had rumored Choi was editing Park's speeches. Once Park responded by denying that any of her speeches had been sent to private individuals, JTBC publicized their possession of the tablet on October 24. The following morning, Park admitted that Choi had been acting as her unofficial, unpaid personal assistant.<ref name="nhk"/>

Coverage of Choi subsequently spread to all media. Media outlets reported that Choi and President Park's senior staff members, including both Ahn Jong-bum and Jeong Ho-sung, have allegedly used their influence to extort [[South Korean won|₩]]77.4 billion (US$60 million) from Korean [[chaebols]]—family-owned large business conglomerates—and set up two culture- and sports-related foundations, Mir and K-sports foundations.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/768777.html|title=박 대통령 독대한 대기업들 미르·K 출연금 유독 많았다|date=3 November 2016|newspaper=[[The Hankyoreh]]))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://news.donga.com/3/00/20161101/81099663/1|title=[단독]"미르-K스포츠재단 모금, 안종범 수석이 지시했다"|date=November 2016 |publisher=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]]))</ref><ref>((Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/12/05/samsung-hyundai-south-korea-president-scandal/|title=Heads of Samsung, Hyundai and Others Probed Over South Korea Scandal|website=Fortune|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> National fencer [[Ko Young-tae]], who was a close friend of [[Choi Soon-sil]], is suspected of being involved in the management of [[shell corporation]] The Blue K and Widec Sports. Choi set up these companies in Korea and Germany allegedly to funnel money from the foundations.<ref>((cite news |last=Kim |first=Bo-eun |date=28 October 2016 |title=Choi Soon-sil 'willing to face investigation' |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_217055.html |newspaper=[[The Korea Times]] |location=Seoul |access-date=28 October 2016 ))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38259068|title = Park Geun-hye impeached: Did a puppy bring down South Korea's president?|work = BBC News|date = 9 December 2016))</ref><ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_217091.html|title = Scandal unveils Choi Soon-sil's 'boy toy'|date = 30 October 2016))</ref>

==Arrests==
* On October 31, 2016, Choi was arrested and summoned to the prosecutors office for questioning.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37824360|title=South Korea scandal: Choi apologises for 'unpardonable crime'|work = BBC News|date = 31 October 2016))</ref>
* On November 2, top presidential aides Ahn Jong-bum and Jeong Ho-sung were arrested for abusing power and aiding Choi.<ref>((cite web|url=http://news.donga.com/rss/feed/3/all/20161102/81140663/1?gid=81140910&srev=1&regdate=20161103|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104142326/http://news.donga.com/rss/feed/3/all/20161102/81140663/1?gid=81140910&srev=1&regdate=20161103|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-11-04|title=검찰, 안종범 전 정책조정수석 긴급체포…서울남부구치소로 이송|publisher=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]]))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-south-korea-park-20161106-story.html|title=2 former aides of President Park arrested as South Korea scandal widens|publisher=Associated Press|date=2016-11-06|via=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> The Supreme Prosecutors' Office of Korea (SPO), in laying charges against Choi and two former presidential aides, have alleged that President Park colluded with the three in certain criminal activities. The president will be questioned by prosecutors, the first time this has occurred with a serving South Korean president.<ref>((cite news|author1=Agence France-Presse|title=Choi-gate prosecutors accuse South Korean president of collusion|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/20/choi-gate-prosecutors-accuse-south-korean-president-of-collusion|work=The Guardian|date=20 November 2016))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/11/20/2016112000593.html|title=최순실, 딸 친구 부모 민원 들어주고 1000만원 샤넬백 등 5000만원 챙겨|date=22 July 2020|publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://news.nate.com/view/20161120n10972|title=檢, 헌정사상 첫 현직 대통령 피의자 입건…"3명과 공모범행"(종합)|publisher=[[Nate News]]))</ref>
* On November 8, award-winning music video director Cha Eun-taek was arrested at the [[Incheon International Airport]] upon his return from China. He was accused of "meddling in state-led projects and exerted undue influence in the culture sector".<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20161108000965|title=Cha Eun-taek, a key figure of Choi scandal, arrested at airport|newspaper=[[The Korea Herald]]))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38123164|title = K-pop video director Cha Eun-taek charged in South Korea corruption scandal|work = BBC News|date = 27 November 2016))</ref>
* On December 31, chief of the National Pension Fund and former health & welfare minister Moon Hyung-pyo was arrested for pressuring the state fund to back a major merger deal for [[Samsung C&T]].<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/30/0200000000AEN20161230001900315.html|title=S. Korea's pension fund chief formally arrested in corruption probe|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>
* On January 2, 2017, [[Chung Yoo-ra]], the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, was arrested in Denmark for staying in the country illegally.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/02/daughter-of-south-koreas-female-rasputin-arrested-in-denmark|title=Denmark awaits Seoul's extradition request for Choi Soon-sil's daughter|last=correspondent|first=Jon Henley European affairs|date=2017-01-02|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38487037|title=South Korea scandal: Daughter of Choi Soon-sil arrested|date=2017-01-02|newspaper=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>
* On January 3, [[Ewha Womans University]] professor and renowned writer Ryu Chul-kyun (pen name [[Yi In-hwa]]) was arrested for doing the homework of Chung Yoo-ra.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.donga.com/Home/3/all/26/816953/1|title=The collapse of 'The Eternal Empire'|last=Ha |first=Jong-Dae |date=2017-01-03|journal=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]]))</ref>
* On January 11, former chief of admissions at Ewha Womans University Namkung Gon was arrested for perjury charges.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20170113111318422|title=Spate of arrests in Ewha University 'favours' scandal|date=13 January 2017))</ref>
* On January 12, former [[Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism|Culture Minister]] Kim Jong-deok and two other former senior officials were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the [[blacklisting]].<ref>((Cite web|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Dm&No=124579&current_page=9|title=Ex-Culture Minister Arrested for Artist Blacklist|website=[[KBS World Radio]]|language=En|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>
* On January 18, former dean of Ewha Womans University college of science and industry convergence Kim Kyung-Sook was arrested for charges of granting special admission for [[Chung Yoo-ra]].<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2017/01/251_222333.html|title=Ex-Ewha president grilled over favors for Choi's daughter|last=Lee|first=Kyung-min|date=2017-01-18|journal=[[The Korea Times]]))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.sisaplusnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=16157|title=Former Dean of college Kim Kyung-sook arrested, and the next target would be Choi Kyung-hee|date=2017-01-18))</ref>
* On January 21, Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun was arrested for drawing up a blacklist of cultural figures critical of President Park. Former Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Ki-Choon was also arrested for masterminding the blacklist containing 10,000 cultural figures considered "left-leaning" who were critical of President Park.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/779696.html|title=Kim Ki-choon and Culture Minister arrest warrants issued over cultural blacklist|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/21/fresh-turmoil-in-south-korea-as-minister-arrested-over-arts-blacklist|title=Fresh turmoil in South Korea as minister arrested over 'arts blacklist'|agency=Reuters|date=2017-01-20|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/world/asia/south-korea-park-geun-hye-artist-blacklist-culture-minister.html|title=South Korea Arrests 2 Presidential Aides Over Blacklist of Artists|last=Sang-hun|first=Choe|date=2017-01-20|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> [[Ewha Womans University]] Professor Lee In-sung was also arrested.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2017/01/20/0200000000AKR20170120192800004.HTML|title='정유라 과제 해주고 학점 특혜' 이인성 이대 교수 구속|last=최 |first=송아|date=2017-01-21|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|language=ko-KR|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>
* On February 15, former [[Ewha Womans University]] president Choi Kyung Hee was arrested over charges of granting admission and grading favors to Chung Yoo-ra, a daughter of Choi Soon-sil.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/02/15/0200000000AEN20170215001900315.html|title=Ex-university chief arrested in corruption probe|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|access-date=2017-02-15|language=en))</ref>
* On February 16, vice president of [[Samsung]], [[Lee Jae-yong (businessman)|Lee Jae-yong]] (JY Lee), was arrested on bribery charges. Mr. Lee is accused of paying $36 million in bribes to Choi Soon-sil, in return for political favors.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/world/asia/korea-samsung-lee-jae-yong.html|title=Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Heir, Is Arrested on Bribery Charges|last=Sang-hun|first=Choe|date=2017-02-16|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2017-02-17|issn=0362-4331))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38997370|title=Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong arrested in South Korea|date=2017-02-17|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en-GB))</ref>
* In November 2017 as part of further investigations into corruption during the Park presidency two former [[List of directors of the National Intelligence Service (South Korea) and predecessor organizations|National Intelligence Service]] directors Nam Jae-joon and Lee Byung-kee were arrested for embezzlement and bribery. They were arrested for illegally funneling tens of thousands of U.S. dollars a month from their spy agency's secret budget for Park's private use through her presidential office budget.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171117000598 |title=Two ex-NIS chiefs arrested in bribery scandal |website=[[The Korea Herald]] |date= 17 November 2017|access-date=11 February 2018))</ref>

===Arrest of Park Geun-hye===
On 30 March 2017, the Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant for Park's arrest on corruption charges. She was arrested later that day.<ref name="BBC_arrest1">((cite news|title=Ex-South Korean president Park Geun-hye arrested|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39449681|access-date=30 March 2017|work=BBC|date=30 March 2017))</ref>

==Parliamentary hearing==
On 6 December, chiefs of South Korea's major conglomerates ([[chaebol]]s) came to the [[National Assembly of Korea|National Assembly]] to attend the first parliamentary hearing on the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her long-time confidante [[Choi Soon-sil]]. It happened for the first time since 1988.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20161206000891|title=[ASSEMBLY HEARING] Tension, disappointment engulf largest hearing on chaebol|language=ko|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> Participants included [[Samsung Electronics]] Vice Chair [[Lee Jae-yong (businessman)|Lee Jae-yong]], [[Hyundai Motor Group|Hyundai Motor]] Chair [[Chung Mong-koo]], [[Lotte Group]] Chair [[Shin Dong-bin]], [[SK Group]] Chair [[Chey Tae-won]] and the heads of [[CJ Group|CJ]], [[LG Corporation|LG]], [[Hanwha]] and [[Hanjin]], [http://www.fki.or.kr/en/ The Federation of Korean Industries].<ref>((cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-12/06/c_135883644.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207154124/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-12/06/c_135883644.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2016|title=Chiefs of S.Korean conglomerates attend parliamentary hearing for presidential scandal|date=6 December 2016|publisher=Xinhua))</ref> In the hearing, presidents of the chaebols told the parliament that they were not seeking favours when they made contributions to two foundations at the heart of a scandal that appeared poised to bring down President [[Park Geun-hye]].<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/samsung-group-leader-vows-to-avoid-future-political-scandals|title=South Korea's corporate chiefs deny seeking favours for donations during parliament hearing|date=6 December 2016|publisher=Straits Times))</ref>

On 7 December 2016, President Park's former aides, including ex-chief of staff Kim Ki-choon and former Vice Culture Minister Kim Jong, testified in the 2nd parliamentary hearing about suspicions that Choi Soon-sil meddled in government affairs.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/07/0200000000AEN20161207000852315.html|title=Parliament holds second round of hearings on Choi scandal|date=2016-12-07))</ref>

On 14 December 2016, the Special Committee of the Parliament held a 3rd hearing, focused on solving the mystery surrounding President Park's 7-hour public absence on the day of the [[Sewol sinking|2014 Sewol ferry sinking]].<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/14/0200000000AEN20161214001353315.html?m|title=(3rd LD) Parliament hearing focuses on Park's alleged inaction during ferry disaster|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>

On 15 December 2016, the Special Committee held a 4th hearing to question the allegations over Mir and K-Sports foundation and how Chung Yoo-ra cheated her way through Ewha Womans University. Jeong Hyun-sik, a former K-Sports head, and former Ewha Womans University president Choi Kyung-hee and other affiliated people testified in the hearing.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/12/15/0200000000AEN20161215001554315.html?did=2106m|title=(4th LD) New allegations emerge from corruption hearing|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>

On 22 December 2016, a 5th hearing was held to question former Presidential Secretary Woo Byung-woo and former presidential nurse Cho Yeo-ok.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20161222000208|title=Parliament holds fifth round of hearings to question former Park aide|date=2016-12-22|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/12/116_220637.html|title=[LIVE] Ex-presidential secretary, nurse quizzed over Park Geun-hye scandal|date=2016-12-22|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref>

On 26 December 2016, special committee members of the National Assembly held a 6th hearing in a prison and met Choi Soon-sil in her detention cell; she repeatedly refused to attend a parliamentary hearing. She denied most of her allegations over the influence-peddling scandal.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Po&No=124197&current_page=9|title=Choi Denies Charges at Controversial Detention Cell Interrogation|date=2016-12-27|access-date=2017-01-22|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202014910/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Po&No=124197&current_page=9|url-status=dead))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?No=124186&id=Po|title=Lawmakers Interrogate Choi at Detention Cell|date=2016-12-27|access-date=2017-01-22|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015046/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?No=124186&id=Po|url-status=dead))</ref>

On 9 January 2017, a 7th hearing was held to question Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun, former chief of admissions at Ewha Womans University Namkung Gon, K-Sports Foundation Chairman Chung Dong Chun, and a staffer at the presidential security office Ku Soon-sung. The hearing confirmed that a blacklist for left-leaning artists existed.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/01/09/South-Korea-official-admits-to-blacklist-of-artists-critical-of-Park-Geun-hye/8491483987469/|title=South Korea official admits to blacklist of artists critical of Park Geun-hye|newspaper=UPI|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=http://m.koreatimes.co.kr/pad/news/view.jsp?req_newsidx=221693|title=Culture minister admits to existence of blacklist|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|access-date=2017-02-17|language=ko))</ref>

==Public apology and presidential approval rating falls ==
[[File:Park Geun-hye Presidential Approval Rating.svg|thumb|right|Park Geun-hye's presidential approval ratings fell to as low as 4% - Gallup Korea]]
[[File:Park Geun-hye Approval ratings by age.svg|thumb|right|Park Geun-hye Approval ratings by age]]

On October 25, 2016, President Park publicly acknowledged her close ties with Choi and apologized to the public. On October 28, Park dismissed key members of her top office staff while her [[#Approval ratings|approval ratings]] fell to 5%. Her approval rating ranged from 1 to 3% for Korean citizens under 60 years of age, while it remained higher at 13% for over 60 years age group.<ref>((cite web|url=http://m.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/Mobile/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002257639#cb|title=President Park breaks YS's record, approval rating at 5 percent|date=November 6, 2016|website=[[OhmyNews]]))</ref> It was the worst ever presidential approval rating in Korean history and even lower than the 6% approval rating of former President [[Kim Young-sam]], who was widely blamed for failing the Korean economy, which eventually led to the [[Asian Financial Crisis]].<ref name=Gallup2016111>
((cite web |title=데일리 오피니언 제234호(2016년 11월 1주) |trans-title=Daily Opinion No. 234 (November 1, 2016) |publisher=Gallup Korea |url=http://www.gallup.co.kr/gallupdb/reportContent.asp?seqNo=787&pagePos=1&selectYear=&search=&searchKeyword=))
</ref><ref>
((cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/10/116_217058.html|title=Park orders secretaries to resign over 'Choi Soon-sil scandal'|date=October 28, 2016|website=[[The Korea Times]]))</ref> On November 4, President Park apologized for the second time. On November 29, Park offered to resign as President and invited the National Assembly to arrange a transfer of power. The opposition parties rejected the offer, accusing Park of attempting to avoid the process of impeachment.<ref>((cite news|last1=McCurry|first1=Justin|title=South Korea's president calls on parliament to arrange her exit|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/29/south-koreas-president-calls-on-parliament-to-arrange-her-exit|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=29 November 2016|date=29 November 2016))</ref>

== Protests ==
((Main|2016–17 South Korean protests))
[[File:민중총궐기 1112 175616.jpg|thumb|Protest held in November 2016]]
The revelations about the relationship between Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil caused mass demonstrations in [[Seoul]].<ref>((cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=015&aid=0003676785|title=전국에서 '최순실 의혹' 진상규명·대통령 퇴진 요구 집회))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.tbs.seoul.kr/news/bunya.do?method=daum_html2&typ_800=6&seq_800=10182240|title='분노한 민심'…서울 도심 '박근혜 하야' 촉구 대규모 집회))</ref> Protesters called for the resignation of [[Park Geun-hye]].<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-idUSKCN12T08V|title=Thousands protest in South Korea, demand president quit over scandal|website=Reuters|date=29 October 2016|last1=Kim|first1=Jack))</ref> On November 12, more than 1 million citizens participated in the protests at [[Gwanghwamun Plaza|Gwanghwamun Square]] close to presidential residence demanding President Park's resignation or impeachment.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/11/116_218065.html|title=ONE MILLION protesters storm Seoul's streets, demanding Park's resignation|date=2016-11-12|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> On November 19, another 1 million citizens participated in the national protest after President Park refused to help the investigation of her abuse of power.<ref>((cite web|url=http://news.nate.com/view/20161120n00937|title=들불로 번진 2주연속 '100만 촛불혁명'…26일 300만 예고|publisher=[[Nate News]]))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/771080.html|title=Dreaming of a new world, one million candles again burn nationwide|publisher=[[The Hankyoreh]]))</ref> On November 26, more than 2 million citizens participated in the protest, calling for the resignation of President Park.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/26/asia/south-korea-mass-protests/index.html|title=South Korean protesters demand President Park's resignation|author=Madison Park|website=CNN|date=26 November 2016|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> Protests went on, and on January 21, 2017, a 13th protest was held in Seoul with more than 200,000 attendees.<ref>((Cite news |date=2017-01-21 |title=Protesters hold 13th weekly rally to demand Park's ouster |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170121003400315))</ref>

== Impeachment process ==
((Main|Impeachment of Park Geun-hye))

On December 5, 2016, three opposition parties agreed to introduce a joint impeachment motion against President Park Geun-hye. The motion, which was signed by 171 of 300 lawmakers, was put to a vote on Friday, 9 December 2016, and passed with 234 out of 300 votes, a tally much greater than the required 2/3 majority and which included many of Park's own ruling party.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-koreas-opposition-parties-move-to-impeach-president-park-geun-hye-1480759872|title=South Korea's Opposition Parties Move to Impeach President Park Geun-hye|date=December 3, 2016|website=Wall Street Journal))</ref>

=== Court hearing and trial ===
On December 19, Choi Soon-sil attended the first hearing in the trial of President Park in Seoul District Court. In the first hearing, prosecutors say Choi used their relationship to pressure companies to donate to two foundations and siphoned off money for personal use. However, she denies the allegations that she influenced the president.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38363075|title=South Korea corruption suspect Choi Soon-sil in court|date=December 19, 2016|website=BBC))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/19/choi-soon-sil-park-geun-hye-confidante-denies-tria/|title=Choi Soon-sil, Park Geun-hye confidante, denies in trial that she extorted money|date=December 19, 2016|website=Washington Times))</ref>

On January 5, 2017, constitutional court began its first trial regarding President Park's impeachment.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/south-koreas-constitutional-court-starts-president-park-geun-hyes-impeachment-trial-1599402|title=South Korea's Constitutional Court starts President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial|last=Divya |first=Kishore|date=January 5, 2017))</ref> On January 16, 2017, Choi Soon-sil testified herself in the Constitutional Court and denied any wrongdoings.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.efe.com/efe/english/portada/choi-soon-sil-testifies-in-impeachment-trial-of-president-park/50000260-3149655|title=Choi Soon-sil testifies in impeachment trial of President Park|newspaper=www.efe.com|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref><ref>((Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/01/16/51/0200000000AEN20170116002752315F.html|title=(2nd LD) Choi denies all wrongdoing in Park impeachment trial|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22))</ref> The Constitutional Court declared that it will hold the final pleading from President Park on Feb. 24, suggesting that the court will make a decision on the impeachment trial before March 13.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170216000825|title=Court to wrap out impeachment pleadings on Feb. 24|date=2017-02-16|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en))</ref>

On March 10, the court issued a unanimous ruling, confirming the impeachment proposal and removing President Park from office.<ref>((cite news|title=Park Geun-hye: Court ousts South Korea's scandal-hit president|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39202936|access-date=10 March 2017|work=BBC News))</ref>

==Sentencing==
* Choi Soon-sil was convicted on June 23, 2017 of conspiring with several officials and professors of [[Ewha Womans University]] to get her daughter admitted into the university despite not meeting the qualification criteria. She was sentenced to three years of imprisonment. The university's former professor Choi Kyung-hee as well as a former dean were both sentenced to two years of imprisonment, while another official was sentenced to ((frac|1|1|2)) years in prison. Three other professors received a suspended sentence while two others were fined.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/world/asia/south-korea-choi-soon-sil-sentence-prison.html|title=In South Korea, Confidante of Ousted President Gets 3 Years in Prison|access-date=23 June 2017|newspaper=New York Times|author=Choe Sang-hun|date=23 June 2017 ))</ref>
* On February 13, 2018, the Seoul Central District Court also found Choi guilty for abuse of power, bribery, and interfering in government business <ref>((cite news|newspaper=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=13 February 2018|title=Choi Soon-sil sentenced to 20 years in prison|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180213000841))</ref> and sentenced her to 20 years in prison and a fine of ₩18 billion (US$16.6 million).
* On July 27, 2017, former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-Choon was sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in blacklisting those who were deemed leftist artists.<ref>((cite news|newspaper=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=27 July 2017|title=6 Ex-Officials in South Korea Are Sentenced for Blacklisting Artists|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/world/asia/south-korea-park-aides-artists-blacklist.html))</ref> His prison term was increased to four years on 23 January 2018.<ref name=blacklist>((cite news|newspaper=[[The Japan Times]]|date=23 January 2018|title=South Korea court jails ex-culture minister over artist blacklist|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/23/asia-pacific/crime-legal-asia-pacific/south-korea-court-jails-ex-culture-minister-artist-blacklist/#.Ws60073Bo0M))</ref>
* Former Culture Minister [[Cho Yoon-sun]] was sentenced to one year for perjury, which was suspended for two years. Another former Culture Minister [[Kim Jong-deok (politician)|Kim Jong-deok]] and former Vice Culture Minister Jung Kwan-joo were also sentenced to two years and 18 months in prison, respectively.<ref>((cite news|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?lang=e&id=Dm&No=128997&current_page=9|title=Fmr Presidential Chief of Staff Sentenced to 3 Yrs in Prison over Artists' Blacklist|access-date=25 August 2017|publisher=KBS))</ref> Cho was given a prison term of two years on 23 January 2018 for her involvement in the blacklisting of artists.<ref name=blacklist/>
* [[Samsung Electronics]]' vice-chairman [[Lee Jae-yong (businessman)|Lee Jae-Yong]] was convicted on August 25, 2017 for bribery, embezzlement, perjury, and other charges relating to payments and promises by Samsung worth ₩43.3 billion (about $40 million). This was partially because the company was manipulated and blackmailed by Park.<ref>((Cite web |last=Cain |first=Geoffrey |year=2020 |title=The Samsung Family Empire |url=https://strangersguide.com/articles/samsung-family-empire/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Stranger's Guide |language=en-US))</ref> He was sentenced to five years in prison.<ref>((cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/south-korea/samsung-heir-guilty-of-bribery-sentenced-to-five-years-jail-1.2079753|title=Samsung heir guilty of bribery, sentenced to five years jail|work=Agence-France Presse|date=25 August 2017|publisher=Gulf News))</ref> His prison term was reduced to ((frac|2|1|2)) years [[Suspended sentence|suspended prison term]] on February 5, 2018, allowing him to be released.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-south-korea-samsung-appeal-20180205-story.html|title=Samsung heir freed from prison after court reduces sentence in corruption case|agency=Associated Press|date=5 February 2018|work=Los Angeles Times))</ref> He was later returned to prison after he was sentenced to imprisonment over the same case again on 18 January 2021, being jailed for ((frac|2|1|2)) years.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-18/samsung-vice-chairman-jay-lee-sentenced-to-two-and-a-half-years/13067784|title=Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison over bribery and embezzlement|agency=ABC News|date=18 January 2021))</ref><ref>((cite web |title=Lee Jae Yong: Samsung heir gets prison term for bribery scandal |date=January 18, 2021 |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55674712))</ref>
* [[Shin Dong-bin]], the chairman of [[Lotte (conglomerate)|Lotte]], was sentenced to ((frac|2|1|2)) years in prison for offering a bribe of $6.5 million to Choi and former President Park on February 13, 2018.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/world/asia/choi-soon-sil-park-geun-hye-south-korea.html|title=South Korean Court Sentences Ex-President's Confidante to 20 Years|date=13 February 2018|newspaper=New York Times))</ref> His sentence was suspended for four years on October 5, allowing him to be released.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-koreas-appeals-court-suspends-lotte-group-chiefs-jail-sentence-yonhap|title = Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin freed as court suspends corruption sentence|newspaper = The Straits Times|date = 5 October 2018))</ref>
* On April 6, 2018, former president [[Park Geun-hye]] was sentenced to 24 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of 18 billion won. She was found guilty of 16 of 18 charges against her.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/04/251_246856.html|title=[BREAKING] Park sentenced to 24 years in jail|date=6 April 2018|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]))</ref>
* On July 20, 2018 Park was sentenced to 8 additional years in prison. This verdict was in relation to a separate trial but similar to the main trial due to it involving illegal [[money laundering]] and illegal favors. She was found guilty of money laundering and bribery related to the NIS scandal where three former NIS directors illegally funneled NIS funds to her personal office for her personal use without any oversight from the government.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/south-korea-court-hands-president-park-8-years-jail-180720062410283.html |title=South Korea court hands ex-president Park 8 more years in jail |website=www.aljazeera.com |access-date=24 August 2018))</ref>
* On August 24, 2018 Park was sentenced to 25 years in prison, an increase of 1 year, for the main Choi Soon-sil related charges. This was due to an appeal filed by the prosecutors' office.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/ex-south-korea-leader-park-geun-hye-gets-25-year-term |title=Ex-South Korea leader Park Geun-hye gets 25-year term |website=www.sbs.com.au |access-date=24 August 2018))</ref>

===Other figures sentenced===
* In June 2017, the former Minister of Health and Welfare and former National Pension Service Director Moon Hyung-pyo was sentenced to ((frac|2|1|2)) years in prison for his role in pressuring Samsung to approve a merger and abusing the power of his two offices. His charges were connected to the Samsung-Park scandal.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-samsung-pensions/former-south-korean-minister-jailed-over-role-in-samsung-merger-yonhap-idUSKBN18Z0SM |title=Former South Korean minister jailed over role in Samsung merger: Yonhap |website=www.reuters.com |date= 8 June 2017|access-date=11 February 2018))</ref>
* In July 2017, former presidential secretary for cultural and sports affairs Kim So-young, was sentenced to an 18-month term suspended for two years. Former senior presidential secretary for education and culture and former vice culture minister Kim Sang-ryul as well as former presidential secretary for political affairs Shin Dong-chul, were sentenced to 18-months imprisonment.<ref>[http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2017/07/113_233752.html Kim Ki-choon receives 3 years over blacklist] Retrieved 12 April 2018.</ref>
* In January 2018, former Minister of Culture Cho Yoon-sun was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the blacklisting scandal. She was earlier allowed to leave prison in July 2017 due to her prior lesser perjury charge being changed to a suspended sentence.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2130123/former-south-korean-culture-minister-jailed-over-blacklist |title=Former South Korean culture minister jailed over artist blacklist |website=www.scmp.com |date= 23 January 2018|access-date=11 February 2018))</ref>
* In June 2018, three former [[National Intelligence Service (South Korea)|National Intelligence Service]] directors (Lee Byung-kee, Lee Byung-ho, and Nam Jae-joon) who served in the Park administration were found guilty of bribing related to the 2016 Park administration scandals and sentenced to prison. They illegally transferred money from the NIS budget to Park's presidential office without any approval or oversight from the National Assembly. This illegally obtained money was used by Park and her associates for private use and to pay bribes.<ref>((cite web |agency=AFP-JIJI |title=South Korea jails ex-spy chiefs for bribing former President Park Geun-hye |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/15/asia-pacific/south-korea-jails-ex-spy-chiefs-bribing-former-president-park-geun-hye/#.Wyvk7lPP1PY |website=[[The Japan Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621174811/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/15/asia-pacific/south-korea-jails-ex-spy-chiefs-bribing-former-president-park-geun-hye/#.Wyvk7lPP1PY |archive-date=21 June 2018 |location=Seoul |url-status=dead))</ref> In addition to the three former NIS directors who were sentenced to prison former [[Ministry of Strategy and Finance|Finance Minister]] [[Choi Kyoung-hwan]] was sentenced to five years related to the NIS bribery scandal.<ref>((cite web |title=Ex-finance minister gets 5 years in prison for bribery |url=https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/06/29/0200000000AEN20180629003651315.html |website=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701111723/https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/06/29/0200000000AEN20180629003651315.html |archive-date=1 July 2018 |url-status=dead))</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Mun Se-gwang]] (man who assassinated Park's mother)
* [[Assassination of Park Chung Hee]]
* [[List of political scandals in South Korea]]
* [[Corruption in South Korea]]
* [[Grigory Rasputin]]
* ((section link|Impeachment|South Korea))

== References ==
((Reflist|30em))

== External links ==
((commons category|Choi Soon-sil gate scandal))
((Choi Soon-sil gate))

[[Category:2016 South Korean political scandal| ]]
[[Category:2016 in South Korea|Presidential scandal]]
[[Category:2016 scandals|South Korean presidential scandal]]
[[Category:Park Geun-hye Government]]
[[Category:Political scandals in South Korea]]

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Return to 2016 South Korean political scandal.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_South_Korean_political_scandal"