South Korean leader Park Geun-hye became the country’s first president to be ousted by impeachment after a panel of justices on Friday upheld a motion to dismiss her over one of the nation’s biggest influence-peddling scandals.
In a decision televised live from the main court room, the Constitutional Court an independent body specializing in matters of the constitution accepted the impeachment motion passed in parliament last year, meaning Park is now removed from office effective immediately.
“She will leave office in disgrace, which is a historic moment as that’s never happened in democratic South Korea,” said Stephen Noerper, senior vice president.
Friday’s ruling now triggers a round of special elections to replace Park within the next 60 days.
