VIDEO Opposition leader has his head shaved; declares all-out fight against Moon
Main opposition Liberty Korea Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn has his head shaved near Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Hwang became the latest politician to have their heads shaved to protest President Moon Jae-in's appointment of key political ally Cho Kuk as justice minister despite allegations of academic fraud and financial crimes surrounding his family. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) had his head shaved Monday in a show of protest, calling for the resignation of the justice minister, whose family is embroiled in corruption allegations.
Politicians here often have their heads shaved in public to express dissent over political and social issues.
LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn had his head shaved at a plaza in front of Cheong Wa Dae to emphasize his call for Justice Minister Cho Kuk to step down.
Hwang said President Moon Jae-in should not turn a deaf ear to the public's call to dismiss the minister amid the prosecution's investigation into the allegations against his family.
"Minister Cho should voluntarily step down from the post and face the prosecution's probe," Hwang said.
Hwang followed in the steps of the LKP's Rep. Park In-sook who had her head shaved Tuesday. Rep. Lee Un-ju, an independent lawmaker, did the same thing last week.
President Moon sent senior secretary for political affairs Kang Gi-jung to deliver a message of "concern and worry" over Hwang's move.
Kang asked Hwang to reconsider the head-shaving move, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman Ko Min-jung. In response, the LKP leader reiterated that Moon should fire Cho.
The presidential office wants to resolve a list of pending issues related to people's livelihoods via dialogue, Ko said.
Hwang said President Moon Jae-in should not turn a deaf ear to the public's call to dismiss the minister amid the prosecution's investigation into the allegations against his family. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
A barber shaves Hwang's head using an electric shaver. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
A throng of journalists and citizens watched his head shaving. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Hwang's hair lies on the ground. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The LKP protest comes after Moon appointed Cho as the new minister last week despite the prosecution's investigation into the corruption allegations.
The prosecution is looking into suspicious investments in a private equity fund by Cho's family members.
His wife was also indicted on the charge of fabricating a school certificate for her daughter.
Cho denied any knowledge of the allegations during a National Assembly confirmation hearing held Sept. 6.
Moon said last week that if he did not appoint Cho solely due to “unproven” suspicions, the move would set a bad precedent.
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the minor liberal Party for Democracy and Peace condemned Hwang's actions as a political move aimed at intensifying partisan wrangling.
"Hwang's move is nothing but an act to spark political strife or to reaffirm his (political) existence," the DPK said.
Conservative opposition parties have condemned Moon's appointment of Cho and called for him to be dismissed.
In particular, the LKP took issue with the ruling party and government's move to revise guidelines over the prosecution's handling of the media.
The two will hold a consultative meeting Wednesday to discuss ways to limit prosecutors' alleged leaks to the press of details about their investigations and the indictment of suspects.
They are considering setting a new stipulation under which the justice minister would be able to order surveillance of prosecutors suspected of leaking details to the media.
Rep. Na Kyung-won, left, LKP floor leader, looks at Hwang. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Some LKP members also had their heads shaved before Hwang's head-shaving ceremony. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The justice minister oversees the prosecution in terms of human resources and administration.
"They are hampering the prosecution probe by hook or by crook. They are effectively blocking the investigation (into Cho's family)," LKP floor leader Na Kyung-won said at a meeting with members of the party's Supreme Council.
The minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BP) began to collect signatures from its lawmakers to submit a proposal to launch a National Assembly investigation into Cho.
A proposal to demand an Assembly probe requires at least the participation of one-fourth of existing lawmakers, which means 75. As the BP controls 28 seats in the 297-member parliament, it needs cooperation from the LKP to submit the proposal.
The ruling DPK, meanwhile, slammed the opposition parties for “focusing on political wrangling” and shunning calls to “improve the people's livelihoods.”
"It is the prosecution that will investigate," DPK floor leader Lee In-young said at a party meeting. "It is time for the National Assembly to play a responsible role for the people's lives." (Yonhap)