South Korea: Opposition party members demand the president's resignation

(Baonghean.vn) - Six lawmakers from the Democratic Party have called on President Park Geun-hye to resign, marking the first time opposition party members have publicly asked her to leave the most powerful position in South Korea, Yonhap reported today, November 3.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, a powerful candidate in next year's South Korean presidential election, called on President Park to resign.

Previously, the Justice Party was the only political entity in the National Assembly to officially request President Park's resignation. In addition, potential candidate for next year's presidential election, Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party, also called for Ms. Park to resign.

Democratic Party lawmakers believe that Ms. Park is no longer capable of leading the country. If Ms. Park continues to rule, the country will be in chaos and the people will be the victims. These six lawmakers also said, "It will be a disaster if Ms. Park does not resign soon and continue to stay in office until the end of her term."

Another key opposition figure, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, has also begun calling for President Park to resign due to public outcry over the scandal involving Choi Soon-sil, Park's close friend. Choi is accused of using her relationship with Park to abuse her power and gain illicit profits.

Park's five-year term does not end until February 2018. However, lawmakers stressed that the South Korean Constitution allows the country to hold a presidential election within 60 days of the previous president's resignation. This would be helpful in resolving the scandal that has rocked South Korea.

Despite the opposition from many members of the Democratic and People's Parties, no formal demands for President Park's resignation have been made. The two parties are trying to show restraint and calling for a thorough investigation into the scandal.

On the presidential side, Ms. Park made personnel changes to some key positions in the cabinet and the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The nominees are close to former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, with the aim of temporarily calming the anger of the Korean people.

However, the opposition has announced it will boycott reforms that do not go through the National Assembly.

Quan Le

(According to Yonhap)