The National Assembly on Wednesday began its inquiry into the shocking political scandal engulfing President Park Geun-hye.

A special committee for the parliamentary inquiry held its first hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, broadcast live on TV, with the attendance of witnesses from four governmental institutions -- the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Justice Ministry, Health Ministry and National Pension Service.

Three witnesses from the prosecution, including Kim Soo-nam, chief of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, refused to appear, citing an ongoing prosecutorial investigation into the scandal. Opposition lawmakers strongly denounced their failure to appear, which led to a 20-minute suspension of the morning session.

In the highlights of Wednesday’s hearing, Vice Justice Minister Lee Chang-jae denied the existence of a recorded phone conservation in which President Park referred to Choi Soon-sil, her confidante accused of meddling in government affairs, as “teacher,” which in Korea is used as an honorific for a respected or higher-authority figure.

Media reports have claimed that a mobile phone of Jeong Ho-seong, Park’s long serving aide now arrested for his involvement in the scandal, was found to have contained many recordings of phone conservations between him and the president, and him and Choi.

“In my knowledge, there is no audio recording (of the president calling Choi as teacher),” Lee said.

Lawmakers requested the ministry to submit any recordings found on Jeong’s phone.

Asked about the president’s possible arrest after resignation, the official refrained from answering, but reiterated that Park is an accomplice to Choi, Jeong and others in several crimes.

“Prosecutors stated the president (as an accomplice to crimes) in the arraignment, because there were enough reasons to do so,” he said.

The president, in her third national address Tuesday, denied allegations of corruption and abuse of power, insisting she only meant to do good to the nation.

The inquiry began amid a pivotal week of political maneuverings in South Korea that could possible culminate in an impeachment vote against Park on Friday.

The president Tuesday offered to cut her term short, asking the parliament to suggest the time frame and legal procedures for her early departure from office.

Opposition parties, calling it a ploy to avoid the imminent impeachment, officially rejected the offer and vowed to impeach her.

The parliamentary inquiry committee will convene for a second hearing on Dec. 5, which will be followed by crucial sessions on Dec. 6-7 during which the lawmakers will question the heads of big business groups as well as figures at the center of the fiasco -- Choi and her associates.

Choi’s attorney, however, said Wednesday it has not yet been decided whether she will attend the hearing. Choi is currently under arrest.

By Lee Sun-young ()


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com