Koreagate
"Koreagate" was an American political scandal in 1976 involving South Korean political figures seeking influence from 10 Democratic members of Congress. The scandal involved the uncovering of evidence that the Korea Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) was allegedly funneling bribes and favors through Korean businessman Tongsun Park in an attempt to gain favor and influence in American politics.[1][2][3] Reversing President Richard Nixon's decision to withdraw troops from South Korea is thought to have been one of their primary objectives.
The United States House of Representatives formed the Subcommittee on International Organizations of the Committee on International Relations to investigate the scandal. During the following hearings, Kim Hyong-uk, former director of the KCIA, and various members of the Unification Church of the United States testified to Park's involvement. Park fled the United States and the South Korean government refused to send him back unless he received immunity. Immunity was refused and Park remained in Korea.
Following the publication of a report detailing the scandal, two members of Congress were charged with crimes: Representative Richard T. Hanna of California and Representative Otto Passman of Louisiana. Passman was acquitted after a trial. Hanna pleaded guilty and served one year in prison. Three other congressmen were reprimanded by the House.[4]
Parties involved
Tongsun Park and U.S. Congressman Richard T. Hanna (D-CA) were two of the main actors involved in the Koreagate scandal. Tongsun Park represented the Korean side of the secret agreement, while Richard Hanna was largely responsible for the American side of the deal. According to the agreement, both parties would share the commissions from
Park was also responsible for providing extra financial incentives to Hanna and other members of Congress, a task made easy by large rice sale commissions.
Objectives
The reasons behind the scandal involved political, social, and financial motivations. Korean leaders, including Tongsun Park and President Park, were angered with Nixon's decision to withdraw soldiers from South Korea and felt it was urgent to build support for preserving the remaining United States military presence.[8] The Park government was also concerned with the approval of a substantial package of assistance for South Korea's military modernization programs.[9] Another reason behind the scandal was to repress or counter increasing criticism of Park's illegitimate policies and human rights violations.[10] According to many, the deceitfulness of Park's objectives would ultimately lead to his downfall.[11]
Consequences
The
Diplomatic relations
After Koreagate was publicized, political relations between the United States and South Korea became shaky at best. Animosity between the United States and South Korea was further aggravated by mutual misperceptions and procedural disagreements.
Aftermath
Despite persistent disagreement about
Reporting
The story was broken by New York Times reporter Richard Halloran.[24]
See also
- Subcommittee on International Organizations of the Committee on International Relations (The "Fraser Committee")
References
- ^ a b Boettcher, Robert B. (1980). Gifts of Deceit.
- ^ a b Irving Louis Horowitz, Science, Sin, and Society: The Politics or Reverend Moon and the Unification Church Archived 2008-12-11 at the Wayback Machine, 1980, MIT Press
- ^ "Koreagate".
- ^ Mark Grossman, Political Corruption in America: In encyclopedia of scandals, power, and greed (2003) p. 208.
- ^ Chae. J. Lee dynamics of adjustment, p. 95.
- ^ Lee koreagate investigations, p. 95.
- ^ Koreagate on Capitol Hill Time, p. 2.
- ^ C. Lee political notions of scandal, p. 96.
- ^ C. Lee financial notions of scandal p. 96.
- ^ C. Lee Social Notions of Scandal p. 96.
- ^ Koreagate on Capitol Hill Time p. 3.
- ^ Lee A Troubled Peace reactions to actions p. 97.
- ^ Lee Porter's concern on ethics p. 98.
- ^ Purdum Government bias to withhold punishment p. 2.
- ^ Unethical description of behavior Time p. 3.
- ^ Lee A Troubled Peace p. 99.
- ^ Lee Consequences on hold p. 99.
- ^ Lee Dynamics of Structural Adjustment p. 99.
- ^ Lee Koreagate Investigations p. 99.
- ^ a b Lee Diplomatic Sparring p. 99.
- ^ Lee Diplomatic Sparring p. 100.
- ^ a b c d e Dobbs on Koreagate p. 1.
- ^ Dobbs Congressional Bad Boys p. 1.
- ^ Koreagate (1976-77), retrieved 2022-12-13
Bibliography
- Boettcher, Robert B.; Gordon Freedman (1980). Gifts of Deceit: Sun Myung Moon, Tongsun Park, and the Korean Scandal. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. ISBN 0-03-044576-0.
- Grossman, Mark. Political Corruption in America: An encyclopedia of scandals, power, and greed" (2003) p. 208.
- Lee, Chae-Jin. (2006). A Trouble Peace : U.S Policy And The Two Koreas. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8330-X.
- Staff Writer (November 29, 1976). "Time Magazine : Koreagate on Capitol Hill?". New York: Time in Partnership with CNN.