Well this time I won't bother you with questions and possibly will give you some hope to those of you that haven't managed to removed the parking light socket.
I have replaced the park lights with LEDs that I got from ebay here
2 X T10 W5W 6 LED 5630 SMD FPC Wedge Canbus Error Free CAR White Light Lamp Bulb | eBayNot bad for $2 a pair, shame one pair didn't work so wife's car will have to wait.
The result is like this:
I won't bias your opinion, I will only say that the picture roughly reflect the difference between the stock bulb and one LED replaced.
Now re: the infamous socket, it is possible to take it out without breaking anything.
Use angle pliers like this below or better
grab the socket and jiggle gently while pulling out.
FYI this is how the socket looks with the LED installed, nothing magic about the damn socket other than it is tough to pull out but can be replaced with just a finger tip.
Additional notes:
On the drivers side (right seat if not in Australia), the wiper deposit made things more difficult but by removing the high beam bulb and pushing its connector out of the way I managed to get the extra room to use the pliers comfortably.
If I was impressed with the result in the park lights I was more than delighted with the result in the plate numbers for the i30 Tourer as well as the ones I replaced for wife's Rio sedan.