03.01.2017

KBS News

Video at link

Jeong Yura after her arrest.

Anchor: It seems as if Jeong Yura has been arrested, in the first instance, for an illegal overstay, is that correct?

Correspondent: Yes, that seems to be the case. It’s been revealed that Ms Jeong did not get an extension to her German visa once it expired. Additionally, through the Schengen free movement agreement, it is would not have been illegal for Jeong to have stayed in Denmark. As we first informed you, Jeong’s detention seems to reflect in part the Korean domestic situation, with the Korean government having decided that she ought to be arrested [by the German authorities].

Anchor: So with everything we know so far taken into consideration, whereabouts do we think Ms Jeong’s child is right now?

Correspondent: It’s now known that Ms Jeong’s child is staying with its nanny, a woman in her 60s, but when our reporter broadcast from the house yesterday no sign of their presence could be seen. They’re probably staying in a city-centre hotel to avoid Korean reporters. The whereabouts of the two remaining male members [of Jeong’s family] are unknown.

Anchor: When reporters first saw Ms Jeong at the courthouse, how was her demeanour? How did she seem?

Correspondent: In photographs taken of Ms Jeong at that point, one can see that her lips were chapped and she appeared rather gaunt. However, when reporters asked her questions during the brief moment when they saw her she replied easily and without hesitation. So we can assume that she has had help to prepare answers in advance when meeting with crowds of reporters outside the courthouse.

Anchor: It’s been reported that Ms Jeong managed to make her way into exclusive horse-rising circles [within Germany], but has the truth of this claim been checked at all by the media?

Correspondent: Yes, it was last Saturday, and we reported that Jeong had barricaded herself into a nearby horse-riding course at the time. The manager of the horse-riding facility in question confessed the truth, that Ms Jeong has been hiding in their riding habitat for months, as was reported by the media.

Analysis: blanket coverage today across Korean news media of Jeong Yura’s arrest in Germany for immigration violations. Jeong’s decision to overstay her visa in Germany was probably the best of a bad series of options: return to Korea and face extended scrutiny of her and her mother Choi Sunshil’s links with President Bak Geunhye, attempt to the leave the country for another destination and risk the media finding out, or stay on in Germany illegally. She probably didn’t anticipate that the Korean government would ask the German authorities to arrest her as soon as her visa expired. The detailed and almost pedantic nature of the coverage – revealing that Jeong’s nanny is a woman in her 60s, for example – illustrates just how important this story remains within the Korean news cycle.

03.01.2017

KBS News

Video at link

Mr Jeong attacks Ms A’s car with a fishing hammer

A man in his 30s attacked a car with a hammer because the driver had honked their horn at him when he had switched lanes. He was detained by police. The incident occurred on the 14^th of October of last year at half-seven in the morning in Busan’s Haeundae district, when a Mr Jeong threatened a Ms A, a 49-year-old female, and used a hammer of 25cm in length to beat the side of Ms A’s car and her mirrors ten times. He is suspected of having damaged the car. A police officer who is a fishing enthusiast confirmed that Jeong had used a fishing hammer, typically used to break up frozen bait.

Analysis: violent crime between strangers is astonishingly rare in Korea, particularly when considering that the vast majority of Koreans live in very densely urbanised areas. Driving is often chaotic and bad-tempered but physical confrontations and attacks between drivers are very uncommon – as demonstrated by national press coverage of this event. Korean criminal law places the blame for any assault or confrontation on whoever is least injured – self-protection isn’t a valid defence in court – and I believe it’s this particular aspect of Korea’s legal system which acts as a very effective deterrent against violence. Of course, as Mr Jeong’s behaviour shows, sometimes people will still engage in violent crime.

KBS News

11^th December 2016

By Bak Yeongmin

“Bak Geunhye, resign!”

After the decision to impeach President Bak was taken by the National Assembly yesterday, citizens held a candlelight rally urging Bak to resign at once before the Constitutional Court makes the final decision on the impeachment. “Bak Geunhye – resign!” is the slogan. Just outside the Blue House protesters set off firecracker to celebrate the news of the impeachment, and various scenes of celebration and festivities could be seen. Some protesters marched within a hundred metres of the Blue House. This is the second-closest approach made to the Blue House, with only the 6^th rally (in November) having come closer. Immediately after hearing the news of the impeachment protesters marched around the east, west and south of the Blue House and shouted for Bak’s resignation.

One protester, Shin Seongyeong from Taean in Chungnam province, said “the idea came to me that I want my children to live in a decent country [so I decided to protest].” Her son Hwang Sehun said “I’m very happy to be able to come to such a pleasant spot so close to the Blue House.” It’s estimated that around 80,000 people braved the sub-zero temperatures to protest, with the police officially estimating that around 12,000 people attended the candlelight protests. Participants continued with their rally until half past ten at night, the official cut-off time, and voluntarily disbanded without any conflict. Members of the “Support Group”, a pro-Bak organisation which claims that the impeachment is not valid, also held a counter-protest, emphasising that they don’t believe there are any legal grounds for Bak to be impeached. Jeong Gwangyong, the group’s chairman, said [the impeachment is farcical] and the President should not step down. Some members of the pro-Bak group approached the Blue House and struggled with candlelight protesters, but the police kept control of the situation.

1^st December 2015

KBS News

By Hwang Gyeongju

Yun Seokyul

Bak Yeongsu, who is investigating the Choi Sunshil case, has asked Yun Seokyul, who was the lead investigator for the “NIS commentary case”, to form a special investigative unit. Bak said the Ministry [of Justice] had requested the despatch. Special Prosecutor Bak commented that Yun had told his superiors that he was prepared to take on the challenge.

Bak refuted concerns that Yun may be seeking to gain revenge for the scrutiny he came under by the National Intelligence Service during the “NIS commentary case”. During the 18th presidential election, Yun led a special investigation team that investigated allegations that the National Intelligence Service has created so-called “commentary units” [which allegedly sought to influence public opinion towards Bak Geunhye by posting pro-Bak comments on various websites]. During this investigation, Yun was himself arrested, on the grounds that he had violated internal reporting procedures by seizing evidence from the NIS and had arrested an NIS employee who had opposed the Ministry of Justice prosecution’s top management. Won Sehun, a former director of [national news agency] Yeonhap News had been held by Yun’s team on suspicion of violating election laws and the National Intelligence Service Act.

Analysis: Fresh focus today on one of the previous embarassments of President Bak’s tenure: allegations that the government intelligence agency had engaged in partisan efforts during her election campaign to sway public opinion towards her by posting supportive comments on blogs and social media sites. Bak was never direcly implicated in that scandal in 2012, and many feel that it was unlikely she had any knowledge of the scheme, but the appointment of a prosecutor to her case which such direct experience of the murky underbelly of her career will do little to cheer her. Yun’s appointment is also a clear message from the Ministry of Justice to those who have criticised their efforts thus far for being overly gentle (for example, giving her official “witness” status in the investigation rather than making her a suspect alongside Choi Sunshil and others). With the weekly anti-Bak demonstrations across the country only growing in size, expect her resignation before Christmas.

16^th November

KBS News (video at link)

By Im Juhyeon

Today, Representative An Cheolsu of the [opposition coalition member] People’s Party told a press conference at the National Assembly “President Bak absolutely must not remain in the presidency. At the absolute latest new leadership must appear in the first half of next year.”

Why would An be asking for new leadership no later than the first half of next year? Does this mean that early elections should be held in the first half of next year? Reporters

An Cheolsu of the People’s Party makes a statement. The subtitles read “The President’s [continued] holding of office does not coincide with consitutional guarantees and any reversal of that would be incompatible with the constitution.”

Analysis: further criticism of Bak Geunhye, this time from the junior party in the opposition coalition, the People’s Party (38 seats in parliament compared to the governing Saenuri with 129 and the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, which has 122). An’s statement is actually rather mild, despite the headline –the opposition coalition may actually prefer Bak not to stand down immediately, as another presidential election is due December 2017. They may hope that Bak decides to stand, and is presumably crushed by an apopleptic public, rather than facing off against a conservative replacement candidate who is untainted by the Choi Sunshil affair.

13^th November

KBS News

By Gim Gihwhan

The caption reads “President Bak formally labelled witness in investigation”

It’s been revealed that the prosecution investigation into current President Bak Geunhye has identified her as a witness. The President said in a statement: “if necessary, I will assist the special prosecution team until their investigation is concluded.” It’s expected that President Bak’s contribution to the case will be made public as interest in the issue is so high. Already suspicion is rampant that traces of President Bak’s involvement with Choi Sunshil, already charged, has been revealed [by the prosecution investigation]. The prosecution will check on Bak’s involvement in the spreading of classified information from the President’s residence, the Blue House, and how Choi has become involved in state affairs.

President Bak’s involvement in soliciting contributions to [Choi-related organisations] Mir and the K-Sports Foundation is also under criminal investigation. Former top Blue House official An Jeongbeom has been required to testify about President’s Bak role in the contributions. Under question is whether President Bak encouraged contributions to these causes during separate meetings with 7 large conglomerates, and whether she discussed cabinet appointments with conglomerate presidents during this process. In addition, the background to the resignation of senior officials of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, who had audited the Korean Equestrian Association (linked to Choi’s family), and remarks made by the President around this issue, are expected to be included in the investigation.

Analysis: it’s astonishing that President Bak hasn’t resigned yet. Surely any evidence of jaebol conglomerate involvement in appointing cabinet members would be the final nail in the coffin? There’s also bound to be widespread disbelief and dismay that she is not being indicted as a formal suspect in the case.

6^th November 2016

KBS News

By Choi Junhyeok

Cha and Bak Geunhye speaking together at a public event

Today lawyers for Cha Euntaek, a pop music video director who has been highlighted as being involved in the [Choi Sunshil] “super wizard” scandal, confirmed that he would return to Korean on the 9^th of November to face questioning. A special unit of prosecutors had called on him to confirm that he would be returning to Korea and plans to bring Cha into custody as soon as he lands at the airport.

Cha has been targeted as he is thought to be as key a figure in the scandal as Choi Sunshil, with prosecutors planning to ascertain to what extent he intervened in President Bak’s cultural policy formation. In particular, prosecutors are targeting to what extent any of Cha’s relatives or children entered into any public cultural policy-making roles. [Also under investigation are] Cha’s former university supervisor, Gim Jongdeok, who was previously a minister at the Minister of Culture and Sport, and Gim Sangryul, previously chief of Education and Culture at the President’s residence, who is Cha’s maternal cousin. Also under investigation is Song Seonggak, previously director of the Korean Content Promotion ministry, who is known to have a very close friendship with Cha.

Cha is also suspected of having colluded with presidential policy co-ordinator An Jongbeom to exploit a former POSCO [Pohang Steel Company] affiliate company, Poreka [by being awarded contracts to make promotional videos for it]. POSCO president Gwon Ojun will be summoned to appear in front of the prosecution as part of the investigation. POSCO said in a statement: “Mr Gwon has never intervened in the hiring of advertisers, and had no reason to intervene in selling affiliate advertising opportunities.”

The prosecution also believes that Cha embezzled ₩700 million from his advertising agency, Africa Pictures. He is reported to be disposing of assets in preparation to pay potential fines.

Analysis: Unsurprisingly, the Bak Geunhye/Choi Sunshil revelations continue to completely dominate the Korean news media. The latest piece of information will only serve to widen interest and outrage in the story; Cha Euntaek has worked with some of the most well-known acts in Korean pop music, and in a country where culture promotion and investment is very closely overseen by the government, his links to Bak and Choi Sunshil will continue to be closely scrutinised.

Chosun News

31st of October 2016 (article published on the 19th of October)

By Choi Eungyeong

President Bak’s wardrobe choices are now coming under further scrutiny.

The so-called “super wizard” Choi Sunshil, who has been embroiled in a political controversy, is now suspected of having created companies in Germany and Korea, including the K-Sports Foundation [in Germany]. Reportedly one Go Taeyeong served as director for the domestic company which made President Bak’s bags. Go [also] served as the Director for the German- and Korean-registered company “Double K”, founded by Choi. Go competed in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok as a fencer, winning a gold medal in the team sabre event and a silver medal in the individual exhibition. In 2008, he established the bag company Bill Miller. Subsequently, after her election victory in 2012, President Bak’s use of a white bag manufactured by the Bill Miller brand became an issue, after it was spotted by the Gyeonghyang newspaper. Subsequently the keyword “Bak Geunhye’s bag” became the top-ranking search term on internet portals [as people tried to find out where they could buy a similar bag]. A spokesman for Bak revealed that the bag was not made by a large domestic brand, but instead by a small local company, without disclosing the bag’s brand. In 2014, she was spotted using a clutch bag at the Davos Forum in Switzerland which also ignited discussion, and while the President’s office again refused to identify its brand, saying only that it was domestically produced, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper identified it as belonging to the Bill Miller brand. A manager at the factory refused to confirm rumours that it had made the item.

Analysis: more details continue to emerge of the bizarre and outlandish grip which Choi Sunshil holds over the President, Bak Geun-hye (although this article was published before the previous one I only came across it today). Bak’s position now is surely untenable. The details which are continuing to emerge have deeply shocked Koreans but have also provided twisted answers to persistent questions which have dogged Bak’s tenure: why does she dress so shabbily? Why are her press contacts so stiff and formally staged? Why does she often speak in oddly-phrased sentences when she does read her pre-prepared statements? The revelations here must surely count as one of the strangest and most absurd episodes in South Korean political history. Bak’s credibility is completely ruined, but with elections due next year, the opposition may prefer to not press for impeachment and hope to capitalise on anti-Bak feeling when voters go to the polls.

25 October 2015

Huffington Post Korea

President Bak makes a statement regarding her relationship with Choi Sunshil.

President Bak Geunhye said that the resourceful Choi Sunshil, dubbed “super wizard” by the press, had revealed national security secrets and gotten hold of diplomatic documents relating to political stability, as reported by JTBC cable news. Choi had information regarding President Bak’s meeting with her predecessor, Ee Myeongbak, when the two held a “behind closed doors meeting” just after Bak’s election on the 28^th of December, 2012.

According to JBTC, an official passed on that Choi “had been in secret contact with the President regarding the North Korean National Defence Commision” on three occasions. They had discussed possible scenarios regarding North Korea which might play out during Bak’s approaching presidency. “The President now has to clean up the mess caused by this situation,” the source continued. JBTC reported that files which were passed on to Choi were created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Documents relating to the Transition Committee’s argument around whether [government] personnel should intervene in the President’s office were found on Choi’s computer. Information around the strengths and weaknesses of the President’s personal security detail and of different [political?] candidates were also recovered, alongside specifics of the Transition Committee’s public relations and social media operations planning and guidelines around correspondence with the media.

Choi Eunshil shown during the JBTC broadcast. The text says “diplomatic documents in Choi Sunshil’s hands”.

President Bak’s inaugural address to the nation was singled out [as having been edited by Choi]. Choi is said to have consistently received the President’s speeches and addresses up to 40 days before they were released. She also scrutinised “every little detail” of various policy documents and items such as the President’s private holiday photos [which were to be released]. JTBC said there were more documents to come as it seeks to verify around 2,000 more files.

Analysis: major scandal here for Bak Geunhye which might yet mean the end of her presidency. With her approval ratings having hit rock-bottom, this was the last thing she needed: revelations that a slightly murky woman without any official portfolio or job title has been informally editing and commenting on Bak’s speeches and policies. Previous to this exposé, Choi has already been harshly criticised in the media for leveraging her links to Bak to obtain donations to charitable organisations she was involved with. There may be a change in presidency before too long.

1^st October 2016

Yeonhap News via Huffington Post Korea

Bak Geunhye addresses the press in Chungnam, 1st of October

Today South Korean President Bak Geunhye said “the North Korean leadership is testing our will, meanwhile its society is collapsing due to internal struggle. Now their interior division and chaos is aggravating our fears around North Korean nukes.*” Speaking at the 68^th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Korean army in Chungnam, the President said “while our country remains united and our military remains as one, we will tear down the false delusions of the North Korean leadership and our national society will unite as one with strength.”

“Whatever attacks are made, it’s certain that South Korea and us, its people, will survive together, and whatever this government [ie North Korea] tries the North Korean threat will not be yielded to. The will of the South Korean people will certainly need to be strong. Whatever differences there are between our ideologies and factions, I entreat all [South] Koreans to remain united along the same path,” she underlined.

The President commented that North Korean leader Gim Jeongeun “is showing off his nuclear missile capability, thereby heightening military tensions, in an attempt to stabilise his country’s internal conditions, but this [tactic] is a delusion and a misjudgement.” Bak went on to warn that “If North Korea will not give up the so-called ‘nukes for economic advancement’ route, its international isolation and economic problems and will become more serious as time goes by, leading to the failure of its system and more internal unrest.”

The President emphasised that “those who come late to deal with the crisis will be punished in the assessment of historians. Even at this stage, North Korea could turn away from its nuclear weapons and face the reality of its situation, and return to being a normal state.” Addressing the North Korean military and citizens, Bak said “we know only too well the terrible reality you are facing. As a nation we understand the human rights abuses which the North Korean leadership commits.” She pointed out that “it’s your right to enjoy universal values like democracy and freedom, human rights and welfare.”

This marks the first time that President Bak has openly implored the North Korean people to move towards South Korean values.

Analysis: As the article notes, this is particularly strong rhetoric from President Bak, who has never made such clear denunciations of North Korea in the past. Her remarks are intended primarily for domestic consumption; ordinary South Koreans have grown tired of the constant stream of violent invective from Pyeongyang and want to hear their President fight back. The number of ordinary North Koreans who will hear Bak’s exhortations will be effectively nil, although Gim Jeongeun’s government will certainly be listening, and will almost certainly respond with continued threats. One has to hope that the North Korean administration remains rational, whatever they threaten.

*Bak used the word 핵 (“haek”) to describe the North’s nuclear weapons – literally “nuke”, a notably informal word for this context.