SK court set to rule on Park case tomorrow
Print Edition
SOUTH Korea’s highest court said yesterday it will rule tomorrow on whether impeached President Park Geun-hye should permanently step down over a corruption scandal or be reinstated, a decision that could radically reshape the country’s political landscape.
If the Constitutional Court formally unseats Park tomorrow, the country will have to hold a presidential election within 60 days. For Park to be removed, at least six of the court’s eight remaining justices need to support the impeachment motion filed by lawmakers, which accuses the president of a wide range of charges including extortion, bribery, abuse of power and leaking government secrets.
Some experts say there is a higher chance the court will uphold Park’s impeachment because the charges against her are serious.
South Korea’s opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach Park in December, following weeks of massive protests over suspicions that she conspired with a longtime confidante to extort money and favors from companies and allowed the friend to secretly manipulate state affairs.
Both opponents and supporters of Park held fierce rallies that divided the streets of Seoul, and the court’s ruling is likely to further polarize the country’s electorate, already sharply split along generational and ideological lines.
Park has apologized for putting trust in her jailed friend, Choi Soon-sil, but has denied any legal wrongdoing.
Investigations into the scandal have led to arrests of former government officials, top aides and businessmen, including Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong, who is suspected of bribing Park and Choi in exchange for business favors.
Park has denied prosecutors’ requests for interviews and a search of her presidential office. She also refused to appear at the impeachment trial.
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