Impeachment of South Korean President Approved by Constitutional Court
05:25 10.03.2017(updated 08:42 10.03.2017)
The South Korean Constitutional Court has upheld the parliament decision on impeaching the president.
TOKYO (Sputnik) – The Constitutional Court of South Korea has upheld the parliament decision to impeach President Park Geun-hye, suspended over a corruption scandal.
The court verdict was announced on Friday and was broadcast live by the South Korean YTN news channel. All 8 judges voted in favor of impeachment (the support of two thirds was needed for upholding the parliament decision).
Park Geun-hye will now be removed from her post and early presidential elections will be held in South Korea within 60 days.
Two demonstrations were held in Seoul as supporters and opponents of Park awaited the court decision. According to NHK, after the verdict was announced, participants of the pro-Park rally attacked media representatives on Friday, but no injuries were reported.
The South Korean parliament impeached Park in December 2016. The country's prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was then appointed acting president.
A political scandal around the South Korean president broke out in late October 2016, when media reported that Park had allowed her close associate Choi Soon-sil, who did not hold any official post, to get involved in state affairs.
Park allegedly extorted money from various corporations, including Samsung, with the assistance of Choi, who is currently under arrest.
According to the NHK broadcaster, Park is likely to face an investigation now that she has been removed from office. Before that, she was protected from criminal prosecution by law.
NHK said on Friday that Park will leave the Blue House, the official residence of the South Korean head of state in Seoul, on Friday.
© Sputnik
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