Park's Confidants Summoned by the Parliament on Park’s Scandal Investigation
Twenty-seven confidants of President Park Geun Hye were summoned today, December 7, 2016, for the second round of hearings as part of the investigation on the president's corruption scandal. They are to be sworn in as witnesses before the parliamentary investigation.
However, out of the 27 summoned confidants, only 13 showed up in the National Assembly. Among those who showed up are Song Sung-gak, former CEO of the Korea Creative Content Agency; Kim Chong, former vice culture minister; Kim Ki-choon, former presidential chief of staff; Ko Young-tae, Choi's close associate and business partner; Cho Won-dong, former senior secretary for economic affairs; Jung Hyun-sik, former secretary general of the K-Sports Foundation; and Cha Eun-taek, Choi Soon-sil's confidant who was a former member of the Presidential Committee for Cultural Enrichment.
Among the 14 who didn't show up in the hearings are Choi Soon Sil and her family members. The location of Chung Yoo Ra, Choi Soon Sil's daughter, is still unknown right now. The same case with Woo Byung Woo, the ex-senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. Both are cannot be located as of the moment.
As ordered by the parliament, Choi and 10 others must appear at the hearing by 2 pm. The issued order allows the authorities to forcefully bring them to court if in case they refuse to do so without justifiable reasons.
Today's hearing aims to focus on Kim Ki Choon, former presidential chief of staff who has the biggest influence on Park's administration. The former chief of staff said sorry for failing to properly assist the president.
Yesterday, the heads of the largest conglomerates in the country are summoned to the National Assembly. The business tycoons, however, denied the allegations on having to receive unfair favor from Park's administration in exchange for the donations they have made to two nonprofit organizations which have found out to be connected with Choi Soon Sil.
