"It is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men." This famous definition of impeachment was made by Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 65.  As Hamilton stated, impeachment is a means to investigate whether a person in power has abused or violated the public trust. On March 8th, Korea's first female president, Park Geun-hye, had an impeachment trial and was deposed. Park's impeachment was a momentous victory for many across the country, especially for the younger generation of students who were vocal in their opposition of President Park and who actively participated in the many protests and candlelight vigils calling for her ouster.

 

After many protests that demanded the impeachment of Park Geun-hye, the Korean Constitutional Court upheld a vote to remove the former president. All eight judges unanimously decided to remove Park from office. The chief judge announced that Park “violated the duty to safeguard the nation.”

              

The reasons for impeachment can be condensed into two categories. The first reason is Park’s scandalous association with Choi Soon-sil. Choi widely meddled in state affairs and even had Park’s speeches on her personal tablet as revealed by JTBC broadcasting. The judges stated that Choi’s behind the scenes involvement in the president's administration violated the Government Officials Act. Since the president represents the will of the people, she has a sworn duty to fulfill her obligations transparently and purposefully. However, Park appointed people recommended by Choi to further the latter's own personal business interests.

            

Another reason is that Park used her power to her own advantage through the Mireu K Sports Foundation. She aided in the raising of $68,400,000 for the Federation of Korean Industries. Park also complied with Choi’s request that Park assist KD Corporation in its dealings with Hyundai Motors. KD Corporation made a profit of $900,000 and gave $44,000 to Choi.  The Constitutional Court considered Park’s intervention as an infringement of not only corporate property rights, but also corporate management.

            

Although the judges did not refer to the late and haphazard rescue efforts of the Sewol as a reason for her expulsion, the ferry disaster on the morning of 16 April, 2014 had a colossal impact on public sentiment. Grief stricken family members and the public at large were highly disappointed in Park when she failed to show up at the scene of the tragedy until seven hours later. Most of the 304 victims were students from Danwon High School. As a result, the younger generation started to focus more on the obligations that the State and the president had in maintaining public safety. This was the start of a political awakening that would culminate with the Choi Soon-sil influence peddling scandal several years later.

            

Park’s impeachment trial was broadcast live as people anxiously awaited her expulsion. In high schools all across Korea, students watched the announcement with anticipation. Many have observed that this moment was one of national unity. Indeed, nowadays many teenagers seem to be paying more attention to politics. According to Jiae Bae, an eighteen year old student at Cheonghak High School, before she went to the protest demanding the truth about the Sewol ferry disaster, she was not much interested in what the politicians had to say.
 

But, Bae is just one of many teenagers who have become more politically minded since Sewol. Recently, the Busan youth organization and civic group urged the National Assembly to pass the bill to lower the voting age to eighteen. The group held a conference in front of the Busan City Hall, claiming that "Youth suffrage is necessary for teenagers to recognize teenagers and live together." Even though the teenagers’ suffrage bill did not pass, they learned that when civilians unite and call for a change in the government to better reflect the people's voice, they can get the government's attention and influence or change policies.

Ultimately, the younger generation was able experience the power of democracy firsthand. The sinking of MV (Motor Vessel) Sewol galvanized young people to gather in Gwanghwamun Gate Square and follow through on their opinions with their actions. It also led to closer scrutiny of the government by the people, which eventually led to congress impeaching Park Geun-hye. This was democracy in action.

 

 

 

Jihwan Ryu

11th

Seoul Scholars International