Choi Tae-min (5 May 1912 – 1 May 1994) was the leader of the Church of Eternal Life, a South Korean cult combining elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and traditional Korean Shamanism.[1] Choi, originally a Buddhist monk, then a convert to Presbyterian pastor, was married six times. He was the mentor of the impeached South Korean president, Park Geun-hye (the daughter of former president Park Chung Hee), until his death in 1994. He allegedly used his relationship with Park to solicit bribes from government officials and businessmen.[2][3] In late 2016, a scandal involving his daughter, Choi Soon-sil, broke out, with allegations that she too has exerted undue influence over President Park.[3][4]
Choi Tae-min | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 May 1912 |
| Died | 1 May 1994 (aged 81) |
| Education | Chaeryong Potong School |
| Spouse | Lim Seon-yi |
| Children | Choi Soon-sil |
| Relatives | Chung Yoo-ra (granddaughter) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 최태민 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Choe Tae-min |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe T'ae-min |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul | 최도원 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Choe Do-won |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe To-wŏn |
History
editChoi Tae-min set up a religious group called Yongsae-gyo (영세교), or "Church of the Spirit World", and declared himself Maitreya, or a "Future Buddha".[5] He befriended Park Geun-hye soon after her mother, Yuk Young-soo, was assassinated in 1974. According to a report by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency from the 1970s that was published by a South Korean news magazine in 2007, Choi initially approached Park Geun-hye by telling her that her mother had appeared to him in his dreams, asking him to help her daughter.[6]
Choi was an associate of former-president President Park Chung Hee until the latter's death by assassination in 1979. Kim Jae-gyu, the director of the KCIA who assassinated President Park Chung Hee, told a court that one of his motives was what he called the president's failure to stop Choi Tae-min's corrupt activities and keep him away from his daughter.[3]
In a newspaper interview in 2007, Park Geun-hye called Choi a patriot and said she was grateful for his counsel and comfort during "difficult times".
A 2007 leaked diplomatic cable from the American Embassy in Seoul reported rumors that Mr. Choi, a 'Korean Rasputin', "had complete control over Park’s body and soul during her formative years and that his children accumulated enormous wealth as a result."[7]
Frequently-used names
editHe used seven different names:[8][3]
- Choi Do-won (최도원, 崔道源, 1927)
- Choi Sang-hun (최상훈, 崔尙勳, 1945)
- Choi Bong-su (최봉수, 崔峰壽, 1951)
- Choi Toe-un (최퇴운, 崔退雲, 1954)
- Gong Hae-nam (공해남, 孔亥南, 1969)
- Bang Min (방민, 房敏, 1971)
- Choi Tae-min (최태민, 崔太敏, 1975)
References
edit- ^ "Shamanistic cult linked to president". Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ "South Korea's leader acknowledges ties to woman in scandal". Fox News. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- ^ a b c d Choe, Sang-hun (27 October 2016). "A Presidential Friendship Has Many South Koreans Crying Foul". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ Kim, Oi-hyun (3 December 2014). "Pres. Park's former aide and his wife may be at the center of ongoing scandal". The Hankyoreh. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ "O que está acontecendo na Coreia do Sul: política, seitas e corrupção". Archived from the original on 2018-01-06. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
- ^ "A Rasputinesque mystery woman and a cultish religion could take down South Korea's president". 28 October 2016.
- ^ Lim, Min-hyuk (28 October 2016). "Leaked U.S. Embassy Cable Warned of 'Rasputin' Behind Park". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- ^ Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), 1979.