On Friday December 9, a vote was passed by lawmakers in South Korea on whether to impeach President Park Geun-Hye.
Park Geun-Hye, arguably one of the most talked about public figures in South Korea, is a controversial figure that is accused of working with her former friend and aide, Choi Soon-Sil, in pressuring businesses to embezzle money to two of her own foundations.
For weeks South Korea was plagued with protests and public unrest as they demanded that the president step down. Now that she has been voted to be impeached she loses presidential immunity which means she can be prosecuted and charged for her actions, but that could take up to six months.
Impeachment required the approval of two-thirds of the 300 member assembly and the majority of lawmakers voted for in favor. But it’s not exactly over just yet. On top of the lawmakers, South Korea’s constitutional court also needs to vote on the impeachment and if that goes through an election for a new president will be held within 60 days.
This marks the country’s second presidential impeachment. The first was back in 2004 where president Roh Moo-Hyun was forced out of office for 2 months, but the decision was later overturned by the Constitutional Court.
Source: Korea Times, The Guardian
