Lee also recalled that Choi “would toss us the materials at the meetings and have us reading them without any real explanation, giving us orders to ‘Do things this way’ or ‘Do things that way.’” “We would listen to her and draft project plans, and they would be passed back to us later as Blue House documents without so much as a comma changed,” he added.
While explaining this, Lee showed a Hankyoreh reporter a comparison of documents stored as image files on his iPhone, which were published as official Blue House documents after he wrote them. He also showed telephone numbers saved on the device for around 20 Blue House secretaries and senior secretaries, which the Hankyoreh later confirmed to be correct.
Regarding the topics discussed at the meetings, Lee said, “About 10% were related to the Mir and K-Sports Foundations, while the other 90% mostly had to do with government policies like the shutdown of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which Choi Sun-sil referred to as ’issues of interest to President Park Geun-hye.‘”
“Appointment issues were also discussed at the meetings, and decisions were made on who to make or not make a Cabinet minister,” he added. “It’s a real break with common perceptions to say this, but it’s actually a system where Choi tells the President to do things this way or that way. There aren’t any issues where the President can decide on her own,” Lee said. “It’s basically only possible once Choi has been asked about and approves everything. Even the Blue House ‘door knocker triumvirate’ are basically all just Choi’s messengers.”
Choi does not even live in Korea at the moment. She also organises her stuff via a fresh owned Hotel in some rural town here in Germany. Germany has never seen so many korean journalists like the last days.
Well, this is getting just a tad bit awkward, I suppose. Next thing you know the largest and best democracy in the world turns out to have been under overwhelming influence of corporations. But, that could never happen, of course, as the people there would rise up against such tyranny to stop it from taking hold over their country.
On October 29 2016 22:26 riotjune wrote: What's the blue house?
From Wikipedia: The Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea, and is located in the capital city of Seoul. The Blue House is in fact a complex of buildings, built largely in the traditional Korean architectural style with some modern elements.
On October 29 2016 22:10 a_flayer wrote: Well, this is getting just a tad bit awkward, I suppose. Next thing you know the largest and best democracy in the world turns out to have been under overwhelming influence of corporations. But, that could never happen, of course, as the people there would rise up against such tyranny to stop it from taking hold over their country.
I don't really understand how you class something as the largest and best democracy. Its' either a democracy or it isn't by definition and unless Korean voters display higher turnouts than any other democratic country how is it the largest? ;O
News doesn't seem surprising though, I mean awhile back Korea was seemingly just on the lower tech-side of the manufacturing chain under Japan. They obviously needed the legislation to achieve the dominance that they have today. Not that it is in anyway a good thing- I mean corporate affecting government to this high of a level..
On October 29 2016 22:10 a_flayer wrote: Well, this is getting just a tad bit awkward, I suppose. Next thing you know the largest and best democracy in the world turns out to have been under overwhelming influence of corporations. But, that could never happen, of course, as the people there would rise up against such tyranny to stop it from taking hold over their country.
I don't really understand how you class something as the largest and best democracy. Its' either a democracy or it isn't by definition and unless Korean voters display higher turnouts than any other democratic country how is it the largest? ;O
News doesn't seem surprising though, I mean awhile back Korea was seemingly just on the lower tech-side of the manufacturing chain under Japan. They obviously needed the legislation to achieve the dominance that they have today. Not that it is in anyway a good thing- I mean corporate affecting government to this high of a level..
Sorry, I should have clarified. I am using their own definition of their country as a way to mock them.
Considering the level of cultish behaviour and fanaticism in Korea nowadays, this isn't that surprising. PGH received orders from this hybrid Buddhist/Shamanism/Christian priest type person who claimed to contact her mother beyond the grave. Politics in SK have usually been pretty corrupt, but having a Rasputin figure behind the curtains is a new one for me. I guess it only serves to add fuel to conspiracy fire.
On October 30 2016 02:14 lolfail9001 wrote: So, corporations, or just random females? Because from what i see it's just a nobody using influence for her own gain.
German source (http://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/hotel-in-schmitten-in-skandal-aus-suedkorea-verwickelt-14501207.html)
The influencing women openend at least 2 letterbox companies here in Germany which might have used to launder money, one, "Blue K" as an IT company, the other is somehow associated to help the south korean olympic horse riders before next olympic games. . The women at least made over 66 Million $ by asking companies and gouvernment in korea for money for here cause(maybe with help of the president?). The Police here in Germany got a report by unknown and is now investigating because of possible money laundring.
But well, South Korea was always the gouvernment of the industrial familys... I just didnt expect that this kind of vodoo girls would have part in this.
Sports columnist Bill Simmons coined the term "Tyson Zone," in which nothing you hear about a particular celebrity can possibly surprise you. Did you hear that Mike Tyson urinated on a police officer? Of course he did! Did you hear that Mike Tyson is attempting to breed unicorns? Of course he is! Given what you already know about Mike Tyson, none you hear about Mike Tyson could possibly surprise you.
With Choi Soon-sil-gate, Park Geun-hye put the entire country into the Tyson Zone. Every insane rumor about the president--the kind that you would see from some remote corner of the internet and laugh off--is now fair game. For years, there have been rumors that the name of Park's political party, the Saenuri Party, is a code name for a cult named shincheonji. Well, why not? We already know that Choi Soon-sil was the one who actually produced Park's inauguration, which featured numerous little multi-colored bags that are used for shamanistic rituals. Would it really surprise you Park Geun-hye named her party after a cult? Did you hear that Choi Soon-sil may have had a hidden son who worked at the presidential residence? Well, why not? We already know Choi made her personal trainer into a presidential aide--what's another hidden son?
This doesn't need to be said but take this with a grain of salt as it's just more for fun on the absurdity of the situation
On October 30 2016 02:14 lolfail9001 wrote: So, corporations, or just random females? Because from what i see it's just a nobody using influence for her own gain.
There was already an ongoing investigation centered around this "nobody" taking huge sums of money from major SK corporations via various non-profits.
Ms Choi is being investigated for using her ties to Ms Park to coerce money out of major conglomerates, but the real shock has been revelations that Ms Park had allowed Ms Choi to vet her presidential speeches and apparently advise her on crucial policy choices.
So the suspicion, of course, is that it's a pay to play system at work.
Someone with a personal relationship to the head of state having undue influence is news, and shady as hell depending what else comes out, but it's not exactly a shadow government.
the CIA prolly killed JFK because he wanted to start "fixing" the monetary system and lowering the military budget. nothing like cutting the budget of a killing machine to get you killed fast.
On October 30 2016 09:59 SK.Testie wrote: Pay to play is par for the course of corruption, what we really need are grand conspiracy theories.
you mean like the canadian liberal government's ad scam? that kind of conspiracy.
Chretien did such a fucking amazing job running the Canadian economy like well oiled machine.. if he was to stuff $0.5 Billion into his pocket every year.. i say .. let him.
On October 29 2016 22:10 a_flayer wrote: Next thing you know the largest and best democracy in the world turns out to have been under overwhelming influence of corporations.
I don't think anybody thinks India's the best democracy in the world, though it's indisputably the largest.
Aww this is cute! At least SK has the courtesy of companies controlling the country in the shadows.
In Czech republic the guy that controls finance ministry and policy in economic matters is also the owner of the second largest corporation in the country, has been abusing EU grants etc. All in direct light of everybody, very publicly :D
The US clearly cares. That's a major part of the Trump vote. Is that he told rich executives he'd put a tariff on any product they built in another country and tried to sell back home.
Massive demonstrations being held and more to come. Subway is full of people with Anti-Park signs. Choi claims she would be 'willing to come back if prosecutors summon her'. Interesting note, the journalists that Choi agreed to speak to are from the 'Segye Ilbo' (세계일보) which is basically the newspaper owned by the Unification Church (otherwise known as the Cult of Moon Sun Myung, Moonies). Cults upon Cults, this is legit terrifying.
On October 30 2016 16:48 LemOn wrote: Aww this is cute! At least SK has the courtesy of companies controlling the country in the shadows.
It's not even a company. It's literally some random childhood friend of the current president and her supposed clique which includes people like movie director, former national fencer and bunch of wives of high ranking officials.
I read the entire thing and I don't see how it's different from the US or the EU (the entity, not the individual member states, some of which used to have very functioning democracies).
On October 30 2016 16:48 LemOn wrote: Aww this is cute! At least SK has the courtesy of companies controlling the country in the shadows.
In Czech republic the guy that controls finance ministry and policy in economic matters is also the owner of the second largest corporation in the country, has been abusing EU grants etc. All in direct light of everybody, very publicly :D
what you gonna do about it bro?
jk i feel your pain though, daughter of the Angolan president is the richest women in Africa.. controls vast numbers of companies in Angola and Portugal she says she made her fortune selling eggs kek.
On October 29 2016 21:55 WhiteDog wrote: Everything is working as intended. Oneofsanto can explain you it's the most efficient way to govern, makes everyone happy in dollar.
actually i trot out the sk chaebols when i want to criticize concentration and lack of competition. contrasting with sk and europe, especially france/italy, the u.s. places a higher value on competition
This is classic Korean law enforcement. Either corrupt or incompetent. They let DUI's off the hook when they cry, will leave you alone if you yell enough and give this corrupt treasonous bitch a day to get her affairs in order because she's "tired from her trip." Whoever rubber stamped that should be in jail alongside her, as well as PGH
No but now they're in an awkward spot because the impeachment process would likely take as long as she's got left in office. Very good chance she'll eventually go to jail eventually (and is somewhat hilariously backtracking on a previous statement where she said she'd cooperate with the investigation).
im surprised this topic has so little discussion on tl. then again, its no war that involves the US so... anyway president park just got impeached an hr ago so things will get interesting. this whole scandal has actually opened up a lot of investigations that target the president which were kinda buried before as well (eg. sewol ferry accident and the president's absence for hours, rumoured to be receiving facial therapies). basically everything citizens can find that showed her absolute incompetence has been brought up again, so if she is formally investigated once more who knows what might come up
On December 09 2016 17:32 evilfatsh1t wrote: im surprised this topic has so little discussion on tl. then again, its no war that involves the US so... anyway president park just got impeached an hr ago so things will get interesting. this whole scandal has actually opened up a lot of investigations that target the president which were kinda buried before as well (eg. sewol ferry accident and the president's absence for hours, rumoured to be receiving facial therapies). basically everything citizens can find that showed her absolute incompetence has been brought up again, so if she is formally investigated once more who knows what might come up
if you can turn it into a feminist issue it'll get some traction else it'll be similar to the greek meltdown: serves them right/it's their fault/they chose their leader and so on.
cant turn it into something that it isnt. you are right though, in that the citizens of korea are absolutely at fault for voting her in largely due to her family background. hopefully this is a massive wake up call to korea. however you cant deny that the scale of this scandal would have been unfathomable to even the strongest opposers of park. western media isnt reporting even half of the rumours/theories/facts that is circulating around korea regarding park. its some real life korean drama shit
doesn't matter if it is or if it isn't, you can easily spin it to look bad on (W-)feminists(do it for them clicks!).
as for those other things, i can't really comment; we had prime ministers and presidents investigated for corruption so i'm missing the leg to stand on here. was it foreseeable? , i don't know; was it preventable?, i can't tell; will be repeated in the future?, probably ...
It's entirely possible that hundreds of millions of USD equivalent was simply siphoned away, and the korean pension lost 300 million usd due to a 10 million usd bribe from samsung. It's actually quite curious that as a rich democracy, the scandal is receiving so little attention in western media. It's not even a question of distance or culture compared with minor scandals in Japan and Australia and Brazil.
It's entirely possible that hundreds of millions of USD equivalent was simply siphoned away, and the korean pension lost 300 million usd due to a 10 million usd bribe from samsung. It's actually quite curious that as a rich democracy, the scandal is receiving so little attention in western media. It's not even a question of distance or culture compared with minor scandals in Japan and Australia and Brazil.
I just read an article in the German "Tagesschau" and then went on my daily TL browse. It's really crazy what was happening there and how little attention it got in Germany. I found like 4 articles on "Tagesschau" over the last four weeks.
The link is actually really insightful for anyone interested in the topic. I went through the whole thing. Really mindblowing how something like this can go unnoticed for so long.
EPT
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