Mysterious family has controlled two generations of South Korean presidents.

President Park Geun-hye is currently facing the biggest challenge of her tumultuous term. She is being exposed by the South Korean media for allowing a longtime friend to manipulate policy decisions for many years.

NewspaperKorean HeraldThe newspaper argues that the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye, concerning allegations that Choi Soon-sil manipulated state affairs and profited personally for many years, was essentially a "late" revelation. According to the newspaper, the matter should have been exposed when Choi Tae-min, Choi Soon-sil's father, was still an advisor to Park under President Park Chung-hee.

The Korean word for "Rasputin".

The relationship between President Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil began in 1975. At that time, Park was only 23 years old and had just lost her mother – the wife of the late President Park Chung-hee.

President Park became acquainted with Ms. Choi through her father, Choi Tae-min.Korean Joongang DailyChoi, born in 1912, was a former police officer who became a monk after Korea was liberated from Japanese fascism. Since 1970, Choi has claimed to be a pastor and capable of healing. He was devout and even founded his own religious sect called the "Church of Life."

The South Korean president has apologized to the people and ordered a cabinet reshuffle. Photo: Reuters

A report by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), compiled in the 1970s, states that in 1975, Choi wrote to Park Geun-hye saying that her recently deceased mother had appeared in her dreams and asked for his help. Park Geun-hye invited him to the presidential residence. This meeting is considered to have marked the beginning of Park Geun-hye's relationship with the Choi family.

After her mother's death, Park began working in the Blue House as the first lady. Choi Tae-min became her chief advisor, overseeing many "patriotic" movements that Park nominally led, and always accompanying her to important events. At that time, Choi Soon-sil, Choi Tae-min's daughter, also knew Park and became a leader of several student movements.

Choi Soon-sil is pictured at a horse riding center in Incheon, Seoul, in 2014. Photo: KoreanTimes

According to the KCIA report, Choi exploited his close relationship with Park to expand his business and social activities, while also profiting illegally. Because of this, many newspapers called him the "Rasputin of Korea" (Rasputin – a historical figure from Russia who declared himself a priest with divine powers. He was revered by Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra, and manipulated Russian politics in the early 20th century).

This led to discontent among President Park Chung-hee's close aides. Park was assassinated in October 1979 by Kim Jae-gyu, director of the KCIA. In court, Kim testified that one of the main motives for the assassination was the president's failure to prevent Choi Tae-min's corruption and his "failure to keep his daughter away from him."

Park Geun-hye at the Blue House in the 1970s with President Park Chung-hee (left) and Choi Tae-min (right). Photo: KoreanTimes

However, Park was reportedly obsessed with Choi's ideology, according toKorean Joongang DailyIn classified documents from the US embassy in South Korea, released by WikiLeaks in 2011, US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow warned that "there are rumors that an elderly pastor completely controlled Park's body and mind during her formative years, and that his children profited greatly from her assets." Park Geun-hye denied these allegations at the time.

Mr. Choi passed away in 1994. This is considered the time when President Park Geun-hye began to have close ties with Choi Soon-sil.

To the descendants of "Rasputin"

Choi Soon-sil is the daughter of Choi Tae-min's fifth wife.Korean TimesAccording to observers, Park and Choi's relationship was even closer than that of sisters. Park's dependence on Choi not only did not diminish after Choi's death, but actually increased.

According toKorean TimesAfter Park became a member of parliament in 2008, Choi always accompanied her on overseas trips, although she held no official position. Choi was also involved in all business activities related to Park.

Choi Soon-sil (left) is pictured with Park Geun-hye at a student event at Hanyang University in Seoul. Photo: KoreanTimes.

Choi's ex-husband, Chung Yoon-hoi, was also a close friend of President Park Geun-hye. He served as her close aide when she was a member of parliament. The couple were accused by the public of abusing their influence for corruption. In December 2014, Park Gwan-chun, a former senior officer at the Blue House, before his arrest for leaking documents to the press, said: "In terms of power hierarchy in the current administration, Choi is first, Chung (Choi's husband) is second, and President Park is last."

Choi Soon-sil's mysticism and religious devotion have raised many concerns among South Koreans, according to the newspaper.StraitstimesChoi Soon-sil's behavior was reminiscent of a shaman, heavily influenced by her father. Many lawmakers expressed concern that Park might be bewitched by a "religious cult" and that her decisions would affect the nation. One opposition lawmaker described Choi Soon-sil's influence on South Korean politics as a terrifying "theocratic regime."

Although Choi held no official position, she wielded considerable power within the government. She had the authority to edit the president's speeches and advise him on everything from minor matters like everyday attire to crucial national issues such as Korean reunification.

According to PLO