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Does this really state the fact that barring Japan the legal system in most of Asia is still pretty bad? A whole host of ex Korean presidents were jailed or about to be jailed.
Which South Korean presidents have been jailed? My quick search shows that Kim Young-sam had Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo arrested, but then later pardoned. Were there any others? (Keep in mind, Park Geun-hye was impeached and removed from office, but I don't think she's ever been jailed.)
I wouldn't trust the legal system in any country if you are a high ranking official and your opposition is in power. Even if they aren't successful in locking you up doesn't mean they still won't try to bring you down.
Which South Korean presidents have been jailed? My quick search shows that Kim Young-sam had Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo arrested, but then later pardoned. Were there any others? (Keep in mind, Park Geun-hye was impeached and removed from office, but I don't think she's ever been jailed.)
As far as I can tell, she has been in jail since she was arrested.
Corruption, as we know it in the west, is very common all over East Asia, even in Japan. Exchanging goods or money for favors (ie. bribes) is common in all of east Asia, whether with government officials or in business. Doing under the table deals to avoid taxes is also incredibly common. It's part of most of the countries cultures, especially China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. I don't know about SE Asia or other parts of Asia. Many people just view this as part of life, and don't even think there is anything unethical about it.
I had an acquaintance who worked for a US company in Japan, the company was having a really difficult time working with any Japanese companies and picking up any clients. Finally they hired a guy who had grown up in Japan and he told them exactly what they needed to do. When the client asks during negotiations to be taken out for a meal, you have to do that, you won't get their business if you don't. Expect them to bring their entire families, and they also expect you to give them expensive gifts, and possibly more, like take them to a Karaoke or something like that. Money may even be exchanged under the table. That is common in all of East Asia.
In many Asian cultures, if you are an official and someone offers you a gift, you take it or else you are offending them. After all they probably went to great pains and spent a lot of money to get you the gift. Here in the U.S. such behavior is considered unethical in political circles but in places like China refusing a gift would make you look selfish and ungrateful in the eyes of the public. The same culture permeates into the lives of ordinary folks so next time you invite an Asian or even knowledgeable Asian American to a business exchange, don't be surprised if they bear gifts for you. It's frowned upon to go to such places empty handed.
As implied in my previous post my thought is that ex-presidents in Asian nations get jailed easily just so their opposition sidelines them. It's all political really and not really honestly a drive against corruption.
Why would anybody want power, except to abuse it? Presidents are at the apex of that pyramid. In America, none are in prison because America perpetuates this myth that democratically elected officials cannot possibly be seeking power for the purpose of abusing it. So even the obviously guilty get a wink and a pass.
The US set up a brutal dictator in Syngman Rhee in S. Korea. He eventually had to flee to Hawaii with the help of the US government.
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