Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through Seoul Saturday demanding the South Korean president resign over her scandals.
Outrage is swelling among the South Korean people, who feel betrayed by President Park Geun-hye’s purportedly scandalous and unethical behavior. Organizers for Saturday’s rally say that one million people came out to protest Park and her administration; police, however, put the number at around 260,000. Three protests have been held in two weeks, and Saturday’s movement was the largest by far.
People chant slogans during a rally calling for President Park Geun-hye to step down in central Seoul, South Korea, November 12, 2016. The placards read, “Step down Park Geun-hye.” REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
12,000 protesters turned out Oct. 29, and around 45,000 took to the streets Nov. 5. Organizers put the figures much higher. The number of citizens dissatisfied with their president is on the rise. Park’s approval rating is at a record low of 5 percent.
People came from all across the country to participate in Saturday’s protest.
People take part in a rally calling for President Park Geun-hye to step down in central Seoul, South Korea, November 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Around 20,000 to 30,000 police, many in riot gear, were deployed outside Cheong Wa Dae, or the Blue House, as the protesters made their way to the president’s place of residence.
Since Park took office in 2013, her administration has struggled to address a number of domestic challenges, including government corruption, negligence with regard to public safety, and rising unemployment. While these issues are disconcerting for the people of South Korea, the unquenchable fury that is filling the streets of Seoul stems from a far more troubling crime allegedly committed by the president.
Park stands accused of allowing a close friend to access government documents without clearance and make decisions on state affairs, leading some to claim that the president is being controlled by a shadowy puppet master. The president’s friend, Choi Soon-sil, is a suspected cult leader accused of manipulating her close personal relationship with the president for personal gain.
The president apologized to the Korean people Oct. 25. “I am sorry that I caused concern to the people of our nation, caught them by surprise and hurt their feelings,” she said, after acknowledging her ties to Choi.
She apologized again Nov. 4. “All of this happening is my fault. It happened because of my neglect,” Park explained, “Sad thoughts trouble my sleep at night. I realize that whatever I do, it will be difficult to mend the hearts of the people, and then I feel a sense of shame.”
Choi was arrested last week on charges of fraud and abuse of power. She allegedly used her ties to the president to solicit millions of dollars in business donations through two non-profit organizations.
Park has accepted an official investigation into her wrongdoings, and that probe is still ongoing.
“Citizens will not go back home until Park steps down,” the organizer of Saturday’s protest told reporters.
While the protests against Park and her administration have been peaceful, the president’s scandals have thrown the government into disarray and cast uncertainty over the country.
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