Koreagate

Korea Gate was an American political scandal in 1976, wanted to gain influence on members of Congress in the South Korean politician. An immediate goal of influence was the withdrawal of President Richard Nixon's decision to withdraw troops from South Korea. At the scandal of the South Korean secret KCIA was (now NIS) involved, who allegedly paid bribes and favors through Korean businessman Tongsun Park to gain an advantage and influence on the decisions of the Congress for Korean goals. 115 members of Congress were supposedly involved. It has been speculated a lot about the involvement of Sun Myung Moon, former Director Kim Hyung Wook KCIA - and of former Prime Minister Chung Il- kwon.

Persons involved

Tongsun Park and Richard T. Hanna, the two main actors were in Korea gate scandal. Supposedly there was an agreement to use commissions for the sale of American rice to South Korea to effect favorable decisions in Congress for Seoul.

Hanna was also responsible to convey Chung Il- kwon Park and effective lobbying techniques. Park was responsible for the provision of special financial incentives for Hanna and members of Congress. These financial incentives were allegedly between $ 100,000 and $ 200,000.

Objectives

The Korean leadership was angered by the decision of President Nixon to withdraw troops from South Korea and tried to keep the U.S. military presence. Furthermore, the government was keen that the U.S. supported Korea in the modernization of the army. It should also be suppressed by the influence of the criticism of the human rights violations of the government.

Consequences

The U.S. State Department recognized the illegal aspects of park operations and briefed 1970, the Korean Embassy in Washington that such activities would damage relations. The former United States Ambassador in Seoul, William J. Porter, trying to convince them that Tongsun Park should return to Korea without success, President Park Chung Il- kwon and. Later, Porter called the U.S. response to careful because this did not denounce South Korea due to the support of the Vietnam War. His successor, Philip Habib, followed Tongsum Park emphatic. Habib also tried, unsuccessfully, to convince park them to register as a lobbyist for South Korea. In response to his unsuccessful efforts he rejected all embassy personnel to to suspend the connections to the park and also warned several congressmen before their illegal behavior. The former Attorney General William B. Saxbe, however, warned park in front of these actions and the resulting possibly devoted prosecution. Shortly after, Habib accepted a job offer, and the matter to park was not pursued.

Diplomatic relations

The political relations between the United States and South Korea fell by the scandal to falter. The upsets were deepened by disagreement on the way forward.

The United States created a legal basis and expected from South Korea willingness to cooperate in the ongoing investigation. On the South Korean side was of the opinion that the whole story would aufgepuscht only by American media. Even Anti parking conspiracies were suspected.

Political experts came to the conclusion that the scandal was being used to offset the failings Nixon in the Watergate affair with the missteps of Democratic Congressman in Korea scandal.

Result

Tongsum Park was finally invited to a hearing and said publicly in 1978. During the hearing, admitted park to have distributed to 30 members of Congress funds. Finally, ten members have been identified as key actors of which receded most people immediately. Park was guaranteed full immunity. The Congressman Edward R. Roybal, Charles H. Wilson and John J. McFall were publicly reprimanded. Edward J. Patten was found not guilty and Otto E. Passman was not prosecuted because of health concerns. Richard Hanna was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Many experts thought the work-up of the scandal too weak and yielding. This analysis was confirmed, was implicated as a park in 2005 in the scandal surrounding the oil - for - food program.

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