Saenuri Party presidential candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye’s refusal to demand the resignation of the chief of Jeongsu Scholarship Foundation drew a backlash from all sides, including her own party.
On Sunday, Park called a press conference to clarify her position. However, contrary to widespread expectations that she would put forth concrete measures to address the situation, Park reiterated her earlier position that she had no ties to the organization.
Jeongsu Scholarship Foundation was established as the 5.16 Scholarship Foundation in 1962 by incorporating Bu-il Scholarship Foundation, and funds donated from overseas Koreans. The foundation became central to the ongoing skirmish between the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party earlier this month when it was revealed that its executives had planned to sell shares of the broadcaster MBC included among the foundation’s assets.
The number 5.16 refers to the May 16, 1961 coup by her father Park Chung-hee.
Park also stated that the foundation was “not established simply by changing the name of Kim Ji-tae’s Bu-il foundation” and that the courts had found insufficient evidence to prove that the process of Bu-il’s incorporation into Jeongsu was forced. Although the latter statement was retracted, the DUP jumped on the comment saying that her lack of knowledge was proof that she was unfit for the presidency.
Earlier this year, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that Kim had been under duress when he donated the assets, which include shares of the broadcaster MBC and the provincial daily Busan Ilbo.
However, questions over Park’s suitability for the presidency have not been restricted to the opposition.
“The self-reflection and apology about history has gone back to the starting point. Jeongsu Scholarship Foundation should be measured against the standard of the public’s eye, not that of the law. Could the seizure of Bu-il Scholarship Foundation have been possible without the coup d’tat,” Rep. Lee Jae-oh of the Saenuri Party wrote on his Twitter account.
“Saying that seizing someone else’s assets is legal at the time (under late former President Park Chung-hee’s rule) while saying that the 5.16 coup and Yushin damaged democratic values raises doubts about (Park’s) aptitude. This is an issue that should be given deep consideration.”
On Sept. 24 Park stated that the “5.16, Yushin and Inhyeokdang cases damaged constitutional values and delayed the political development of Korea,” in response to heavy criticism that she held questionable historical views.
Yushin refers to the constitutional amendment in 1972 that allowed Park Chung-hee to remain in power indefinitely. The Inhyeokdang case refers to developments that led to the execution of eight democratic activists in 1974. In 2007 the Supreme Court ruled that the executed individuals had been innocent.
In response to Park’s comments about the Jeongsu foundation, DUP lawmakers issued a statement saying that it proved that Park “is unfit to be president,” and that forfeiting her candidacy was the only way to “ask for forgiveness in front of the public.”
The campaigners of independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, who had until now remained relatively detached from the issue, also chimed in.
“It goes against the common sense of the public and the judgment of the judiciary. The judicial branch pointed out that Kim Ji-tae handed over the stocks under duress. Denying this is a grave issue for a presidential candidate,” Ahn’s camp stated on its Twitter account on Sunday.
The Saenuri Party did, however, come to the defense of Park on Monday issuing a statement aimed at diverting the issue to the DUP and late President Roh Moo-hyun.
According to the ruling party, the issue originates from “Roh’s efforts to repay a favor,” as the former president was a recipient of a Bu-il scholarship and had attempted to have the Jeongsu Scholarship Foundation returned to Kim’s family during his years as a member of the National Assembly and as president.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
