#161, Protest
The past few weeks have been a tumultuous time in South Korea. At the end of October, it was revealed that President Park Geun Hye had been under the influence of a shadowy cult leader for several years. Choi Soon Sil used her power over President Park to manipulate national policy and extort money from businesses. It is dumbfounding that in the twenty-first century, the leader of a world power was led by someone who claims to be able to talk to her dead father.
Koreans have a history of a public protest and they came out in full force in reaction to the scandal. On November 12, an estimated 260,000 protesters filled Gwanghwamun demanding President Park's resignation.
“You are surrounded! Park Geun-hye, come out and surrender!” protestors chanted.
It was the largest protest in Korea in decades and an inspiring exhibition of democracy. One right granted to any citizen in a democracy is the freedom to protest. Any South Korean citizen has the right to speak out against a government they feel is not doing its job. Not too far from Gwanghwamun, our neighbors to the North do not have such freedoms.
To complete this Journal response,
- What is your reaction to President Park's relationship with Choi Soon Sil?
- Comment on a peer's response.
-Brenden Lee Teacher
they're entirely through the looking glass