Barbecue Earth

Trouble in the Blue House | Behind Closed Doors

Episode Summary

Episode 3 follows the story of "South Korea's Watergate" and assesses the role of accountability in safeguarding democratic norms.

Episode Notes

The third episode, "Trouble in the Blue House," dissects the corruption scandal often called "South Korea's Watergate." When former President Park Geun-hye was first elected in 2013, she held widespread conservative support and was internationally celebrated as the country's first female president. No one could have predicted that just 5 years later, she would end up embroiled in a corruption case that would leave her disgraced, impeached, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Although not without its controversy, Park Geun-hye's impeachment shows how anti-corruption movements can pursue accountability and reform while protecting democratic norms.