South Korean President Fires Spokesman

Ms. Park’s office had earlier apologized after at least a half dozen people nominated as ministers and vice ministers in her government were forced to quit amid questions over their ethical standards. Her approval ratings plummeted as a result before they recovered in recent weeks as her defiance in confronting North Korea’s nuclear threats proved popular.       

A Washington police report on the case, copies of which were carried in South Korean media, did not mention Mr. Yoon by name, identifying the suspect only as a 56-year-old male. The victim reported that the suspect “grabbed her buttocks without her permission,” the report said.       

Mr. Yoon, a former journalist and political columnist, has been the most controversial political appointee in Ms. Park’s government. As an online political commentator, he used to launch vicious attacks against Ms. Park’s domestic enemies, once calling them “political prostitutes.”    

She first made him the spokesman for her transition team after her December election. Despite protests from the opposition, she stood by him once again when she made him a presidential spokesman.       

On Friday, the main opposition party said the Washington scandal was a “foreseeable tragedy” because of Ms. Park’s refusal to heed her critics.

Article Appeared @http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/world/asia/spokesman-for-south-korean-leader-quits.html?hp

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *