Special prosecutor named to continue Park probe

In South Korea, the prime ministerial post is largely ceremonial. They would be replaced by new ones appointed by the president.

President Park Geun-hye has given the nod to a bill to launch an independent counsel investigation into the influence-peddling and corruption scandal enveloping her administration.

He said the party would formally begin the process when it sees the “biggest possibility” of parliament approving such a move. They said they will continue to discuss the issue.

Impeachment could also backfire for current liberals.

Ms Park is accused of acting as a criminal accomplice for her friend Choi Soon-sil, who has been indicted on criminal charges including extortion and abuse of official power, according to prosecutors. Another presidential aide was charged with leaking confidential state documents.

(Stand-up) “As promised, President Park will cooperate with the independent counsel and the top office is now preparing for the investigation, which could involve over a hundred investigators and last up to four months”.

Jung said the president plans to prove her innocence by “actively cooperating” with an independent investigation pushed by a special prosecutor. He was impeached on allegations of incompetence and illegal electioneering.

Chief Prosecutor Lee said the president would be questioned soon.

However, John Delury, an expert on Korean affairs at Yonsei University, told CNN that Ban’s close association with Park’s political party and his outsider status could be a disadvantage. If the president resists till the end, it must seek a court warrant.

“But she won’t be able to bring any new legal initiative or raise a new policy agenda”, Kim said. “Considering the long and extremely hard process, the best resolution is still Park’s voluntary resignation”.

The impeachment, however, can be a tough option to select as the passage of impeachment motion requires at least 200 ayes from the 300 parliamentary seats.

It went even further, saying the President is willing to face impeachment rather than come under a “biased political attack”. The Munhwa Ilbo conducted a survey Sunday and Monday after the prosecution’s announcement with the 129 lawmakers of the Saenuri Party and 65 responded.

Since last week, Park had been considering presiding over the weekly meeting of the Cabinet ministers.

The main opposition Democratic Party and the People’s Party will select two candidates by Dec.6 and Park will officially designate one of them to investigate the scandal.

The pills weren’t used, said Jung Youn-kuk, a Blue House spokesman.

Other items on the Blue House’s pharmacy tab also drew unwelcome attention on Wednesday, including large volumes of nutritional compounds that wealthy South Korean women have often injected to fight fatigue, aging and skin problems.

Park should listen humbly to the public criticism and swiftly submit to questioning by prosecutors to answer the allegations against her.