South Korean president Park Geun-hye impeached over bribery scandal, new elections due in 60 days

 

South Korea’s president Park Geun-hye has been removed from office after the Constitutional court unanimously upheld her impeachment for her role in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, thus becoming the country's first president to be ousted by impeachment with a new election to be held in 60 days.

A panel of eight judges from the Constitutional Court on Friday assembled to issue a verdict that remove Park from office, bringing months of political turmoil to an end.

"The court dismisses President Park Geun-hye from her position," said Lee Jung-mi, the acting chief justice.

"There is no other choice but to decide this verdict."

"Park’s actions had “seriously impaired the spirit of... democracy and the rule of law,” said Lee Jung-Mi.

The ruling now triggers a round of special elections to replace Park within the next 60 days.

Park has been faced with allegations that included bribery and violation of sovereignty, after she was accused of colluding with Choi to secure millions of dollars in bribes from the country's biggest enterprises and allowing Choi, a civilian, to interfere in state affairs.

Park who happens to be the country’s first female president,will lose her executive immunity from prosecution.

What next for South Koreans?