'Park Geun-hye Fraud Impeachment Invalid' Found Throughout Downtown... Who Wrote It? [Reporter Han Goes]

Recent 'Fake Impeachment Nullification' Graffiti Found in Jongno and Euljiro, Seoul
Some Suspect Park Geun-hye Supporters
Experts Say Impeachment Denial Is Genuine... Concrete Support Base

Under a bus stop in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, the phrase "Fraudulent Impeachment Invalid" is written. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Recently, the phrase "Fraudulent Impeachment Invalid" has been written in various places on the streets of Jongno and Euljiro in Seoul, drawing attention to the background of this message. The target of "Fraudulent Impeachment Invalid" is former President Park Geun-hye, who was the first president in constitutional history to be removed from office.

Some interpret this as Park's supporters still unable to accept the fact of impeachment, hence writing such messages. Citizens' reactions are skeptical. They criticize that it is time to acknowledge the reality of former President Park, who was removed from office and is currently imprisoned.

On the afternoon of the 19th, a bench at a bus stop in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, had the phrase "Fraudulent Impeachment Invalid" written on it. Considering that the message was written at a bus stop where many people pass by, it seems intended to have as many people as possible see the message.

However, the reactions of citizens who saw the message were negative. Mr. Kim, a company employee in his 40s met near the area with the "Impeachment Invalid" message, said, "Didn't (Park Geun-hye) get impeached for state affairs manipulation? She is currently on trial while in custody, so I don't understand what the point of this is." He added, "I understand the feelings of (Park Geun-hye) supporters, but who can sympathize with this message? Honestly, I find it somewhat absurd."

Another office worker in his 30s, Mr. Lee, said, "Because there are supporters writing such messages, it seems that Park Geun-hye still plays some role among conservative forces," adding, "It is just surprising that among Park Geun-hye supporters, the claim that the impeachment is invalid is still being made."

On the other hand, there is also a view that supporters' opinions should be respected. Mr. Park, a company employee in his 40s, said, "Claiming the impeachment is invalid may seem absurd from others' perspectives, but supporters can sincerely make such claims." He added, "In the worldview of supporters, Park Geun-hye may still feel like a living incumbent president. Ignoring their opinions does not seem appropriate."

The phrase "Fraudulent Impeachment Invalid" written on a ground transformer located on a busy street in Seoul. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Messages denying the fact of former President Park's impeachment were found not only in Euljiro but also in the Jongno area.

On the shutter of a large store, the phrase "Park Geun-hye Fraudulent Impeachment Invalid" was written in large letters. Although no one paid close attention to it, writing such a message in the bustling Jongno area seems intended to have more people see the claim that the impeachment is false.

Citizens did not find the message meaningful either. A citizen in their 50s said, "I think people who don't watch the news write such messages," adding, "Such acts by supporters might actually have a negative impact on Park Geun-hye."

Former President Park was removed from office on March 10, 2017. On that day at 11 a.m., the Constitutional Court held a hearing on the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye and unanimously decided by all eight justices to remove the president from office. At the time, Acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi confirmed the order to "remove the respondent President Park Geun-hye" during the impeachment trial ruling.

This decision came 92 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion on December 9, 2016, and submitted it to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court's acceptance of the National Assembly's impeachment request marked the first removal of a sitting president in the history of the Republic of Korea's constitutional system.

On the morning of March 10, 2017, the day of the impeachment trial verdict for President Park Geun-hye, citizens are watching the live broadcast of the impeachment trial in the waiting room of Seoul Station. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Constitutional Court stated, "President Park's unconstitutional and illegal acts betrayed the trust of the people and should be regarded as serious violations of the law that cannot be tolerated from the perspective of upholding the Constitution," adding, "The benefit of upholding the Constitution by removing President Park overwhelmingly outweighs the national loss caused by the removal."

While messages from some supporters who still do not acknowledge former President Park's removal are found throughout downtown Seoul, experts analyze that Park Geun-hye supporters genuinely do not accept the impeachment.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Supporters who claim Park Geun-hye's impeachment is invalid are sincere," and added, "They hold the same level of respect not only for Park Geun-hye but also for Park Chung-hee."

The commentator continued, "They are the so-called 'concrete support base.' It can be seen as a kind of faith," adding, "Within the support base, it must be very frustrating for them to resort to such actions. Since there is no response to their claim of invalid impeachment, it can be understood as their best possible action."

Meanwhile, former President Park Geun-hye was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison in the retrial of the state affairs manipulation case and the National Intelligence Service special activity funds bribery case.

On July 10, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6 (Presiding Judges Oh Seok-jun, Lee Jung-hwan, and Jung Soo-jin) sentenced former President Park to 5 years in prison for bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and 15 years in prison and a fine of 18 billion KRW for other charges. A confiscation order of 3.5 billion KRW was also imposed.