Pres. Park must appear and speak at the court

It has been reported President Park Geun-hye would prepare for a press interview or press conference regarding the current impeachment proceedings at the Constitutional Court of Korea before the Lunar New Year holiday. “As news about the special investigation has been delivered unilaterally, the president must show up and make her position,” the presidential office said on Thursday. More likely intended to win back hearts of the public, the presidential office will try to circulate some positive information about the president and stir the public opinion during the holiday season.

While suspended from her presidential authority and duty, President Park met reporters on Jan. 1 on a condition that recording device, laptop computer and memo pad would not be allowed during the meeting. In the end, she only came up with hollow excuses and the public got angry. She invited reporters only to plead her innocence regarding her involvement in the Choi Soon-sil gate, which has been verified through a National Assembly investigation and special investigation, saying, “I have never ever done something for anyone’s favor.” She should show up at the court and accept the call from a special investigation team if she has nothing to hide. Making her position only to reporters does not seem appropriate. In addition, it was stipulated in a ruling letter by the Constitutional Court in March 2004 regarding impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun that presidential press conference was also a part of presidential duty.

Park has not accepted two previous requests to appear at the court, losing her chance of making her position to the public. Probably following her intention, former presidential secretaries Lee Jae-man and Ahn Bong-keun did not show up at the court, either. So far, only one witness out of seven, who had been called upon to attend the court between Jan. 5 and Jan. 10, appeared in the court. Administrative staff of the presidential office Yoon Jeon-choo testified as a witness at the court, while Choi Soon-sil, Ahn, Lee and Jeong Ho-seong, known as the "Doorknob Trio,” former Senior Secretary to the President for Policy Coordination Ahn Jong-beom and presidential administrative staff Lee Young-sun were all absent. Several forecasts suggest that it could be an organized movement to interrupt her impeachment trial at the court by remaining silent.

President Park rarely had press interview or press conference with reporters before impeachment. She has promised she would appear with her lawyers before reporters and engage in “final debate” to prove her innocence. Will she confess everything the public want to know? She should refrain from delivering her statement outside the court, making attempts to start a media battle. Rather, she must make her appearance at the court. If she is desperate to have a press conference, the public will demand her honesty to all of the questions and allegations. Once again, she needs to testify at the court more than anything.