Hearings end with half the witnesses unquestioned

Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun testifies at the parliamentary hearing in the National Assembly on Monday. [YONHAP]

Korea’s parliamentary committee on the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidante held its last hearing Monday, with only a few of the 20 summoned witnesses having actually appeared before the National Assembly.

The ad hoc panel also approved a motion to extend its mandate by one month, as its authority expires this Sunday.

The committee, which kicked off Nov. 17, has been holding a series of sessions to find out the details behind the allegation that Park’s friend, Choi Soon-sil, exerted influence on state affairs for personal gain.

If the motion is approved at a plenary session of the National Assembly, its activity can be extended by up to 30 days.

The panel summoned 20 figures to Monday’s hearing, but most key witnesses - including former Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Woo Byung-woo, and former Ewha Womans University President Choi Kyung-hee - said they would not participate.

The university faces allegations that it gave admissions and academic favors to Choi’s daughter, Chung Yoo-ra.

Only a professor from Ewha Womans University and a former head of the K-Sports Foundation appeared at the hearing in the morning. Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun attended the hearing later in the afternoon.

Cho apologized for disappointing the people over allegations that the government had a blacklist of cultural figures deemed critical of its policies.

The parliament earlier claimed Cho lied before the National Assembly by claiming she was not aware of the list.

The independent counsel looking into the alleged corruption of Park and Choi, however, reportedly secured evidence that indicated Cho was involved in the creation of the blacklist.

“I apologize for bringing pain and disappointment to the artists as well as the people on the issue,” Cho said.

The independent counsel on the influence-peddling scandal is currently looking deeper into the blacklist.

“We have come to the conclusion that the senior government officials’ creation and execution of the blacklist severely infringe upon the people’s freedom of thoughts and expression,” the investigation team’s spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said at a press regular press briefing.

The investigators will seek warrants to formally arrest a former culture minister, a former vice culture minister and ex-presidential aides for their alleged involvement in managing the blacklist, Lee said.

A high-ranking executive from Samsung Electronics Co., who was earlier expected to appear, was absent, citing health conditions.

The K-Sports and Mi-R foundations were virtually controlled by Choi and collected large-sum donations from local conglomerates under the name of public projects. Investigators suspect Choi attempted to take control of the foundations’ assets.

Korea’s top conglomerate Samsung Group allegedly signed a 22 billion-won ($18.3 million) contract with a Germany-based company owned by Choi and financially supported her daughter Chung’s purchase of horses, equestrian training and other costs.

The K-Sports Foundation’s staff said Chung “lacked talent” as an athlete and claimed she spent more time on leisure instead of training.

Yonhap