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The clock is ticking for Park Guen-hye

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South Korea’s Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to uphold the impeachment of President Park Guen-hye. It comes a...

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to uphold the impeachment of President Park Guen-hye. It comes after the country’s lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to impeach her over an influence-peddling scandal. “I feel deep responsibility” -interim president Under the constitution, Park’s duties are assumed by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. This will be on an interim basis until the court rules. “I stand here with a heavy-hearted sadness,” Hwang said in a televised address. “As an aide to the president, I feel deep responsibility about the situation we have come to face.” An emergency cabinet meeting was held on Friday. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn becomes Korea’s new leader after lawmakers vote to impeach President Park Geun-Hye https://t.co/aMmKAjjRvf pic.twitter.com/kQaAb9xNud— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) December 9, 2016 The impeachment vote The impeachment motion was carried by a wider-than-expected 234-56 margin in a secret ballot in parliament. This means more than 60 of Park’s own conservative Saenuri Party backed removing her. Scuffles outside parliament Anti-Park protesters scuffled with police as they tried to drive two tractors up to the main gate of South Korea’s parliament in the run-up to the vote. “I wanted my kids to be here, making history, at an historic moment, and show we people can win,” said Choi Jung-hoon, a 46-year-old high school teacher. A sea of yellow… police vests and protest banners outside #southkorea National Assembly ahead of impeachment vote pic.twitter.com/L2NaiFKNZT— Rosalind Chin (@RozChin) December 9, 2016 South Korea parliament votes to impeach President Park Geun-hye: Reuters https://t.co/DxhE23AJ3X pic.twitter.com/cbKzl9PPmm— Neon Knight 🌔 🌘 🌑 (@NeonKnight1337) December 9, 2016 Mass rallies have been held in the capital, Seoul, every Saturday for the past six weeks to press Park to quit. Opinion polls showed overwhelming support for her impeachment. Jubilant South Koreans celebrated with cheers and dances on Friday after news of the impeachment vote came through. What has Park Guen-hye said? Park has resisted demands that she stand down immediately. Her approval rating, however, stands at just five percent. “I solemnly accept the voice of the parliament and the people and sincerely hope this confusion is soundly resolved,” Park said at a meeting with her cabinet. She added that she would comply with the court’s proceedings as well as an investigation by a special prosecutor. S.KOREA PARLIAMENT VOTES TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT PARK – RTRS pic.twitter.com/8dsbOOqICr— Global Markets Forum (@ReutersGMF) December 9, 2016 South Korea’s political crisis in five 64-year-old Park is accused of colluding with a friend and former aide to pressure businesses to donate to two of her foundations She has denied wrongdoing but admitted “carelessness” Her five-year-term was due to end in 2018 If she leaves office early, an election must be held within 60 days UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon and ex-lawmaker Moon Jae-in are poll frontrunners to replace Park Will Ban Ki-moon run? The current UN secretary general has not said whether he will seek his country’s presidency when his UN tenure finishes at the end of the year. “The Secretary General is confident that the people will overcome the present diffculties through unity and resilience, as well as a strong commitment to democratic institutions and principles,” Ban’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. #Seoul Today: Over 1.5 million people call for President Park to resign • How would this affect Ban Ki-moon’s likely presidential bid? pic.twitter.com/9pXDfeDNKU— The UN Times (@TheUNTimes) November 27, 2016   Less

South Korea’s parliament votes to impeach President Park Guen-hye

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South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach president Park Guen-hye over a corruption scandal, immediately suspending her powers. 234...

South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach president Park Guen-hye over a corruption scandal, immediately suspending her powers. 234 out of the national assembly’s 300 lawmakers supported impeachment. The vote, which effectively ends Park’s presidency a year early, will see her authority pass to the Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. The president’s fate now lies with South Korea’s Constitutional Court. It has to decide whether to uphold the vote, a process which could take up to 180 days. Park became embroiled in scandal due to her relationship with a close friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is accused of using her influence to pressure big business into making large donations. The parliamentary vote also means she becomes the country’s first democratically elected leader to be forced from office in disgrace and follows weeks of mass protests in South Korea calling for her to step down.   Less

Seoul searching as one million demand President Park Guen’s resignation

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South Korean President, Park Guen-hye is facing mounting calls for her to resign. A reported one million protesters took to the streets of...

South Korean President, Park Guen-hye is facing mounting calls for her to resign. A reported one million protesters took to the streets of Seoul to demonstrate their disaproval. My view of the protest in Seoul against President Park Gun-hye. Up to 1 million people expected! pic.twitter.com/t2eNhUINlZ— Ess (@ScottyLiterati) November 12, 2016 It is suspected that she let a shadowy longtime confidante manipulate power from behind the scenes. “Today, the largest number of members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in history have gathered here to demand President Park Geun-hye’s resignation and imprisonment,” said one trade union official. Some ground-level footage of the protest in Seoul. pic.twitter.com/IGYdh4IMLZ— Ess (@ScottyLiterati) November 12, 2016 Another was scathing about Park’s presidency:“I came out here to call for resignation of the Park Geun-hye administration, which has made living conditions worse, worse for workers, completely messed up the state governance and monopolised state affairs within the secret powerhouse. It feels much better to shout together with many other people.” Park publicly apologised on October 25. Despite rising public anger, opposition parties have yet to push for Park to stand down over fears of triggering a backlash from conservative voters, which could derail any opposition attempt to gain the presidency in the 2017 election.   Less

Pro- and anti- Park rallies staged in Seoul

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Supporters of South Korean President Park Guen-hye have rallied to call for her reinstatement. Opponents have gathered to repeat their dem...

Supporters of South Korean President Park Guen-hye have rallied to call for her reinstatement. Opponents have gathered to repeat their demands that the leader, impeached over a corruption scandal, should step down immediately. Supporters rally The Park supporters, who last held a major rally in mid-November, began their demonstration first. They have been in the minority during the weeks of protests demanding her removal. There have been huge rallies over seven straight weekends, packing the streets of Seoul. Saturday’s pro-Park rally near the court and a few blocks from the presidential Blue House, drew largely older people who said those behind the movement to oust her are misguided. Ridiculous. This protest against the impeachment is going on for miles. #seoul #southkorea pic.twitter.com/o1CAk6Ydpt— Nicky Kim (@nckykm) December 17, 2016 Anti-Park rally Many of her opponents are angry that Park’s lawyers argued on Friday that the impeachment has no legal basis. What the lawyers say Park’s lawyers struck a defiant note in their first comments since the impeachment vote. They said the motion should be overturned by the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to review it. The lawyers’ submission to the court rejected all the points made in the impeachment motion approved by a wide margin by parliament on December the 9th. It accused her of violating her constitutional duty and breaking the law. The background Park’s presidential powers have been suspended since the vote for impeachment on December the 9th. The Constitutional Court must decide whether or not to uphold the motion. The 64-year-old is accused of colluding with long-time friend Choi Soon-sil to pressure big businesses to make contributions to non-profit foundations backing presidential initiatives. Soon has been indicted and is in custody. Park has indicated she will not step down. She has denied wrongdoing but has apologised for “carelessness” in her ties with Choi. If the impeachment is upheld, or Park steps down voluntarily, a new election has to be held within 60 days to pick a new leader who will serve a single, five-year term. Park’s term was originally due to end in February 2018. Crucial week for South Korea’s Park Guen-hye with impeachment push https://t.co/nPwF1vuaj3 pic.twitter.com/S0QyAOpAba— The Wire (@thewire_in) December 5, 2016 What they are saying “This is my first time out here, but yesterday when I heard about her opinion against the impeachment, submitted to the Constitutional Court, whatever pity I felt for her disappeared,” – 55-year-old protester Roh Yi-young. “The people who love this country have come out to save the country despite the hardship,” – 69-year-old protester Kim Ku-ja “We are blaming the decision of impeachment on teh media, which mislead the people with false information. The grounds for impeachment are also based on the information by misled media, so we are against the impeachment. We are offering roses to keep peace in this country,” – 61-year-old protester, Kim U-ghi.   Less

South Korea’s embattled president offers to relinquish power

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South Korea’s embattled President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday asked parliament to come up with a way for her to relinquish power, including w...

South Korea’s embattled President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday asked parliament to come up with a way for her to relinquish power, including when she should step down from the presidency. “I will leave to parliament everything about my future including shortening of my term,” she said in a televised speech amid mounting calls for her to resign over an influence scandal that has engulfed her presidency. South Korea’s main opposiiton Democratic Party rejected President Park Geun-hye’s offer to step down from power under a plan to be devised by parliament, calling it a ploy to escape being impeached, Yonhap news agency said on Tuesday. The party said it will continue with its plan to impeach her, Yonhap said, quoting party spokesman Youn Kwan-suk. Park has faced intense pressure to resign amid a scandal involving a friend who is accused of using her ties to meddle in state affairs   Less

Apologise, or propaganda continues, South Korea tells Pyongyang

• LiveLeak

Tough-talking South Korean President Park Guen-hye has demanded an apology from North Korea for recent landmine explosions in the Demilitari...

Tough-talking South Korean President Park Guen-hye has demanded an apology from North Korea for recent landmine explosions in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating the two states. Pyongyang denies responsibility for the incident, which wounded two South Korean soldiers. In response to the blasts, Seoul began broadcasting anti-North Korea propaganda across the DMZ – a practice both sides had abandoned 11 years ago. “We need a clear apology and measures to prevent a recurrence of these provocations and this tense situation. Otherwise, this government will take the appropriate steps and continue its loudspeaker broadcasts,” said the South Korean president. On Thursday (August 20) an exchange of artillery fire over the DMZ saw Pyongyang issue its neighbour with an ultimatum: stop broadcasting by Saturday or face military action. Although Seoul refused, top officials from the two states agreed to meet in the Panmunjom truce village in the DMZ. Marathon talks ensued, which were still in progress when Park Geun-hye issued its demand for an apology. State-run television in Pyongyang has released its own propaganda, purporting to show North Korea’s citizens readying for a fight.   Less

Helicopter Rescue Footage from Capsized Ferry

• LiveLeak

South Korea's government said 292 people are still missing Wednesday several hours after a ferry carrying 477 passengers sank off the countr...

South Korea's government said 292 people are still missing Wednesday several hours after a ferry carrying 477 passengers sank off the country's southern coast. Officials say at least six people have been confirmed dead with an estimated 179 rescued. Earlier reports said that more than 100 people were unaccounted for, but officials later changed the number to 295. The ferry, identified as the Sewol, was bound for the island of Jeju, located some 100 kilometers (62 miles) off the Korean Peninsula's southern coast. The passengers included 325 high school students on a field trip. A total of 18 helicopters and 34 rescue boats have been deployed in the rescue operation, according to Lee Gyeong-Og, the vice minister of security and public administration. South Korean President Park Guen-Hye has ordered all available assets to mobilize and aid the rescue effort. Footage provided is from South Korea Coastguard who are cordinating the rescue effort using assets from a number of Government agencies, include police resources. Passengers were asked to put on life vests and jump ship, according to the Yonhap news agency. The reason for the ship capsizing remains unclear. Overnight, heavy fog was reported in the area, resulting in the cancellation of many ferry services to the island. But some news reports have said that visibility in the area is clear Footage from South Korea Coastguard Services #financial_support_div{ display:none; position: absolute; width:300px; height:180px; margin-left: -150px; margin-top: -70px; /*- half of width and height */ top:50%; left:50%; padding: 5px; opacity:0.9; filter:alpha(opacity=90); z-index:1000; background-color:#000; color: white; } .close_box{ background: gray; color:#fff; padding:1px 3px; display:inline; position:absolute; right:1px; margin-right: -13px; margin-top: -13px; border-radius:3px; cursor:pointer; border: 1px #000 solid; } $(document).on("click",".close_box",function(){ $(this).parent().fadeTo(300,0,function(){ $(this).remove(); }); }); Loading the player ...   Less

Pope Francis calls for reconciliation of North and South Korea as Seoul begins major military drills

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Pope Francis rounded off the first papal visit to Asia in 15 years with a call for peace and the reconciliation of North and South Korea. ...

Pope Francis rounded off the first papal visit to Asia in 15 years with a call for peace and the reconciliation of North and South Korea. But the timing of his mass in Seoul coincided with the start of annual large-scale US-South Korea military drills, which usually angers its neighbouring state. North Korea turned down an invitation for members of its Catholic Association to attend the service, citing the start of the exercises. However a group of defectors from North Korea attended, alongside the South Korean President Park Guen-hye. Pope Francis, speaking at the Myeongdong Cathedral, said: “Let us pray, then, for the emergence of new opportunities for dialogue, encounters and the resolution of differences … and for an ever greater recognition that all Koreans are brothers and sisters, members of one family, one people.” In recent weeks, North Korea has carried out a series of short-range missile tests and has now threatened a “merciless” strike in retaliation for the South Korean drills. The two Koreas are technically at war, after no peace treaty was signed to end the 1950-53 Korean conflict.   Less

South Korea’s president vows to raise Sewol ferry on first anniversary of the disaster that killed over 300 people.

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South Korea’s president has pledged to raise the wreckage of the Sewol ferry that sank last year killing 304 people. President Park Gue...

South Korea’s president has pledged to raise the wreckage of the Sewol ferry that sank last year killing 304 people. President Park Guen-hye made the announcement during a memorial ceremony at the port of Jindo. “I think now is the time for us to be prepared for the ship salvage. We’ll make all necessary procedures promptly so that the ship can be raised as soon as possible,” she told reporters and victims’ families who had gathered to commemorate the first anniversary of the disaster. All but nine bodies have been recovered but relatives have campaigned to raise the ship so that more remains can be retrieved. Most of the victims were teenagers who were on a school trip to the holiday island of Jeju. The ship’s captain and other crew members are serving long prison terms for failing to protect their passengers. Investigators say the ferry was overloaded when it sank and had undergone an illegal redesign that made it unstable. Memorial ceremonies were held in 300 locations across the country. Mourners prevented the country’s prime minister from entering one memorial amid ongoing anger at the government.   Less

Japan-South Korea to step-up efforts to resolve “comfort women” dispute

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South Korea and Japan will seek to move past the bitter wartime dispute over “comfort women” as soon as possible. The term refers to t...

South Korea and Japan will seek to move past the bitter wartime dispute over “comfort women” as soon as possible. The term refers to the mainly Korean women were forced into prostitution in Japanese military brothels during the Second World War. The Asian nations announced the decision in Seoul, as they wrapped up their first formal bilateral talks since their current leaders came to power. “Regarding the issue of ‘comfort women’, I believe we should not leave behind difficulties for future generations as we try to build a future-oriented cooperative relationship,” said Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Relations between the two nations have been fraught with animosity over Japan’s 1910-1945 colonisation of its neighbouring country Prior to the talks, South Korean President Park Guen-hye was quoted as saying resolving the issue of “comfort women” was integral to building better ties between the countries. Seoul maintains that Tokyo has repeatedly neglected to apologise for its wartime actions. Talks between the two nations and China took place until three and a half years ago, but ground to a halt as relations worsened. Beijing entered into trilateral talks with Seoul and Tokyo on Sunday (November 1), after which the three announced trade and security ties had been “completely restored”.   Less

North Korea guilty of “maniacal recklessness” – Seoul

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North Korea has conducted its fifth nuclear test. South Korea and Japan say meterological agencies reported a surface-level seismic tremor...

North Korea has conducted its fifth nuclear test. South Korea and Japan say meterological agencies reported a surface-level seismic tremor near the North’s known test site. Indications are this is the most powerful yet. #BREAKING: N. Korea hails ‘successful’ nuclear test: state TV— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 9, 2016 How strong was the tremor? The US Geological Survey and European agencies measured a magnitude of 5.3 at 0030 GMT. Agencies in China, Pyongyang’s main diplomatic ally, also recorded the tremor. The biggest test to date Tests of seismic magnitude suggest this is the most powerful nuclear test conducted by North Korea to date. Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute said surface level recordings indicate a blast with a 20 to 30 kilotonne yield. This would make Friday’s reported test larger than the nuclear bomb dropped by the US on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in the Second World War. It would also be potentially bigger than the one dropped on Nagasaki soon afterwards. “Maniacal recklessness” South Korean President Park Guen-Hye, who is in Laos for a summit of Asian leaders, said it was a nuclear test. Park said North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was showing “maniacal recklessness” in completely ignoring the world’s call to abandon his pursuit of nuclear weapons. Seoul’s presidential office said Barack Obama spoke with Park by telephone as he flew back from Laos. Obama held unscheduled meetings with Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after the missile tests. He said Washington needed to maintain a sense of urgency within the international community on sanctions against Pyongyang. Japan also described it as a nuclear test. Prime Minister Abe said a nuclear test could not be tolerated. Japan’s foreign minister also lodged a protest while two military jets have been sent to begin monitoring radiation. China’s environment ministry has begun emergency radiation monitoring along its border with North Korea, according to state television reports. BREAKING: China says it “resolutely opposes” N. Korea’s nuke test, “intensely urges” Pyongyang to abide by its non-proliferation promises.— The Associated Press (@AP) September 9, 2016   Less

North Korea conducts its fifth and largest nuclear test

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North Korea has confirmed it has successfully conducted a nuclear test aimed at testing the power of its nuclear warheads. North Korean st...

North Korea has confirmed it has successfully conducted a nuclear test aimed at testing the power of its nuclear warheads. North Korean state television said the test elevated the country’s nuclear arsenal and was part of its response to international sanctions following its earlier nuclear test and long-range rocket launch in January and February. Experts believe is the fifth and most powerful test Pyongyang has conducted so far. South Korea and Japan say meteorological agencies reported a surface-level seismic tremor near the North’s known test site. Indications are this is the most powerful yet. #BREAKING: N. Korea hails ‘successful’ nuclear test: state TV— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 9, 2016 North Korea state television confirms nuclear test – video https://t.co/AfbGvPp1AJ— Guardian World (@guardianworld) September 9, 2016 How strong was the tremor? The US Geological Survey and European agencies measured a magnitude of 5.3 at 0030 GMT. Agencies in China, Pyongyang’s main diplomatic ally, also recorded the tremor. The biggest test to date Tests of seismic magnitude suggest this is the most powerful nuclear test conducted by North Korea to date. Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute said surface level recordings indicate a blast with a 20 to 30 kilotonne yield. This would make Friday’s reported test larger than the nuclear bomb dropped by the US on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in the Second World War. It would also be potentially bigger than the one dropped on Nagasaki soon afterwards. #NEWSGRAPHIC How do North Korea’s nuclear tests measure up? pic.twitter.com/xAE4sNA4P6— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 9, 2016 “Maniacal recklessness” South Korean President Park Guen-Hye, who is in Laos for a summit of Asian leaders, said it was a nuclear test. Park said North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was showing “maniacal recklessness” in completely ignoring the world’s call to abandon his pursuit of nuclear weapons. Seoul’s presidential office said Barack Obama spoke with Park by telephone as he flew back from Laos. Obama held unscheduled meetings with Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after the missile tests. He said Washington needed to maintain a sense of urgency within the international community on sanctions against Pyongyang. Japan also described it as a nuclear test. Prime Minister Abe said a nuclear test could not be tolerated. Japan’s foreign minister also lodged a protest while two military jets have been sent to begin monitoring radiation. China‘s environment ministry has begun emergency radiation monitoring along its border with North Korea, according to state television reports. BREAKING: China says it “resolutely opposes” N. Korea’s nuke test, “intensely urges” Pyongyang to abide by its non-proliferation promises.— The Associated Press (@AP) September 9, 2016   Less

South Korean president to face prosecutors in political scandal probe

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South Korean prosecutors are to question President Park Guen-hye as part of a probe into the political scandal swamping her tenure. #Seo...

South Korean prosecutors are to question President Park Guen-hye as part of a probe into the political scandal swamping her tenure. #Seoul #protesters #rant against #SouthKorean president #ParkGuen-Hye demanding her #resignationhttps://t.co/FMFAx17Nei— India Live Today (@inlivetoday) November 12, 2016 Her presidency has been rocked by the suspicion that she let a longtime confidante manipulate power from behind the scenes. In a televised apology last week the president said she would accept a direct investigation into her actions. It will be the first time a sitting president has been questioned by prosecutors. The prosecution office also said the chairman of Hyundai Motor Company has been questioned over whether Park or anyone involved in the influence-peddling scandal put improper pressure on corporate bosses to raise funds for charitable foundations at the centre of the case. Tonight, a little while ago, Gwanghwamoon, Seoul, where estimated million gathered, shouting Impeach Park Guen-hye. pic.twitter.com/spnWhOkeI1— Suki Kim (@sukisworld) November 12, 2016 On Saturday up to one million people took to the streets of Seoul to call for her resignation.   Less

South Korea: arrest warrant sought for Samsung’s de facto chief

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South Korean tech giant Samsung has refused to accept accusations its de facto leader is embroiled in a corruption scandal involving the cou...

South Korean tech giant Samsung has refused to accept accusations its de facto leader is embroiled in a corruption scandal involving the country’s president. The special prosecutors’ office is seeking the arrest of following 22-straight-hours of questioning last week. S. Korean independent counsel issues arrest warrant for heir of Samsung Group, country’s largest conglomerate, over #ParkGeunhye scandal pic.twitter.com/327Ngm24o0— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) January 16, 2017 Lee, also known as Jay Y Lee, is accused of paying some 34 million euros to business leader Choi Soon-sil and two foundations she heads in return for political favours from her confidante, President Park Guen-hye. The prosecutor’s office alleges the money represented bribes from Samsung. Choi has repeatedly denied accusations of colluding with Park to pressure big businesses, including Samsung, to contribute to non-profit organisations which back the president’s initiatives. Prosecutors are investigating whether Samsung’s support for such companies may have been linked to the National Pension Service’s (NPD) 2015 decision to support the merger of two Samsung Group affiliates. Samsung denies lobbying to push through the merger. Chairman of NPS, Moon Hyung-pyo has been charged with abuse of power and giving false testimony. Who is where? Choi is in detention and on trial on charges of abuse of power and attempted fraud. Park has been stripped of her powers while a decision is taken on whether to force her from office. A court decision on whether to issue an arrest warrant for Lee is expected on Wednesday (January 18).   Less

Samsung top boss faces arrest

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The de-facto head of the Samsung group has been questioned behind closed doors about his alleged role in a corruption scandal that has led p...

The de-facto head of the Samsung group has been questioned behind closed doors about his alleged role in a corruption scandal that has led parliament to impeach President Park Guen-hye. 48-year-old Jay Y. Lee did not answer questions from reporters on his way into the special prosecutor’s office in Seoul. He has denied any wrongdoing. What is he being questioned about? A special prosecutor said on Monday it would seek a warrant to arrest the third-generation leader of the country’s largest conglomerate on suspicion of bribery, embezzlement and perjury. Lee is suspected of paying bribes worth a total of 43 billion won (34.2 million euros) to organisations linked to a close friend of President Park in a bid to secure the 2015 merger of two affiliates and cement his control of the family business. Has he been in charge of Samsung long? No. Lee has been the de-facto leader of South Korea’s biggest conglomerate since his father, Lee Kun-hee, was incapacitated by a 2014 heart attack. Has anyone else been indicted? Yes. The chairman of the National Pension Service (NPS) was indicted earlier this week on charges of abuse of power and giving false testimony. Moon Hyung-pyo was arrested in December after acknowledging ordering the NPS to support the controversial $8 billion dollar merger of two Samsung Group affiliates in 2015. Officials say they do not seek arrest warrants for three other Samsung Group executives who also underwent questioning. They say they want to minimise the impact on Samsung’s business. Protest Samsung workers staged a protest outside the court, calling for Lee to be put in custody. If the court approves his arrest, he will be detained for 20 days. Commentators say it would be a blow to the business elite leading South Korea’s most successful company. President Park Guen-hye The 64-year-old was impeached last month by parliament over an influence-peddling scandal that has rocked the country. If the decision is upheld by the Constitutional Court, she could become the country’s first democratically-elected leader to be forced from office early. Park remains in office. However, she has been stripped of her powers while the court decides her fate. She has denied any wrongdoing.   Less

South Korea sees largest protest in weeks of demos against president Park Geun-hye

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A flood of candles in downtown Seoul give a stunning visual to the peaceful protest and show the scale of anger in South Korea over the corr...

A flood of candles in downtown Seoul give a stunning visual to the peaceful protest and show the scale of anger in South Korea over the corruption scandal surrounding the country’s embattled leader. South Korea has seen what is estimated to be its biggest protest in five weeks of demonstrations calling for the president to step down. According to organisers up to 1.5 million people took to the streets of Seoul, while police put the number in the hundreds of thousands. “It has become apparent that Park Geun-hye, as a criminal, is neither qualified nor capable of being a president. She needs to step down immediately,” one protest organiser told a reporter. Part protest, part street party: Organizers claim 1.3 mln have flooded downtown #Seoul #SouthKorea to pressure prez #박근혜 to resign. pic.twitter.com/tvCW8IWxop— Jean H. Lee (@newsjean) November 26, 2016 Leader Park Geun-hye is accused of allowing a friend to meddle in state affairs and commit extortion. She has publicly apologised twice over the affair, but refuses to resign. She is now facing a possible impeachment. The National Assembly is to vote on a bill by December 9.   Less

The clock is ticking for South Korean President Park Geun-hye

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Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Seoul for the sixth week in a row to call for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye. ...

Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Seoul for the sixth week in a row to call for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye. South Koreans to march for 6th weekend calling for removal of President Park Geun-hye https://t.co/PWRfhh4bVG pic.twitter.com/o7HCHbCPqu— ABC News (@ABC) December 3, 2016 This latest demonstration of public fury comes hours after opposition parties filed an impeachment motion that will be put to a vote in parliament. South Korean opposition files impeachment motion against President Park Geun-Hye https://t.co/XOhKdRpI8g pic.twitter.com/QwtKUvIoH8— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 2, 2016 The 64-year-old is alleged to have assisted a close confidante, Choi Soon-sil, extort corporate and manipulate state affairs. Choi Soon-sil is facing trial for fraud.   Less

Thailand: See dark vision of Buddhist underworld at 'Thailand Hell Horror Park'

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Visitors at the 'Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden' near the village of Saen Suk had a chance to learn about Buddhist teachings on the underworld on...

Visitors at the 'Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden' near the village of Saen Suk had a chance to learn about Buddhist teachings on the underworld on Thursday. Known as the 'Thailand Hell Horror Park', the garden is filled with sculptures and statues depicting suffering and torture scenes. The Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden was created by Pra Kru Vishanjalikon, known as the 'Clean Teacher Monk', and is situated next to the local Buddhist temple. Pra Kru Vishanjalikon created the sculptures to educate people about the Buddhist notions of hell. Video ID: 20150827-032 Video on Demand: http://www.ruptly.tv Contact: cd@ruptly.tv Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ruptly Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ruptly LiveLeak: http://www.liveleak.com/c/Ruptly Vine: https://vine.co/Ruptly Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Ruptly YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/RuptlyTV DailyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/ruptly   Less

Breakaway South Korean New Conservatives want Ban Ki-moon to topple President Park

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South Korea’s Constitutional Court has held a second hearing on the case of the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. It will next meet ...

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has held a second hearing on the case of the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. It will next meet at the end of the week when it will try to reach agreement on pre-trial witness and evidence selection. The December 9th decision to impeach President Park came after allegations she colluded with a long-time friend to extort money and favours from companies, and allowed the friend, Choi Soon-sil, to manipulate state affairs. Both deny the allegations. The scandal has led to some MPs breaking away from Park’s ruling Saenuri party to form a new one, tentatively titled the New Conservatives, and they hope to make a very high-profile recruit to lead them; the current UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Critics say the president only has herself to blame. “Park loyalists have forgotten the true values of conservatism, which has resulted in the loss of the people’s trust. Their loyalty to the president and ignorance of the people’s voice and truth allowed Choi Soon-sil to meddle in state affairs,” said MP Chung Byong-gug. The 29 rebel MPs want Ban Ki-moon as their presidential candidate, and hope to become South Korea’s leading Conservative party. His 10-year-tenure at the UN ends at the end of the year. He has not declared his intention to stand, and he has never held elected office at home.   Less

protest for taksim gezi park istanbul in new york

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protest for taksim gezi park istanbul in new york