Park Geun-hye, now former president of South Korea, has been formally removed from office after facing impeachment due to a fraud scandal. Acting chief justice Lee Jung-mi announced on Friday that “The court dismisses President Park Geun-hye from her position. There is no other choice but to decide this verdict.” South Korea’s caretaker prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who has been carrying out presidential duties since parliament passed Park’s impeachment in December 2016, is now acting president until elections are held.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously upheld a vote by lawmakers to impeach Park Geun-hye after investigating the scandal between Park and her formal adviser Choi Soon-sil.
Choi has been accused of abuse of power and attempted fraud due to claims she interfered in state affairs and leaked confidential government documents, while Park allegedly aided Choi in coercing firms to donate to non-profit organizations, whose funds she then siphoned for personal use. Following these accusations, Park’s approval rating plunged to a historic low of 5%.
Park’s connection with Choi and her family, which began in the 1970’s, has been a highly controversial topic. In 2007, a private US diplomatic cable stated that Choi’s father Chi Tae-min had “complete control over Park’s body and soul during her formative years,” and that “his children accumulated enormous wealth as a result.” Even Park’s younger sister Geun-ryong indicated unease, filing a petition expressing concerns that Park was being heavily influenced and manipulated by Choi.
Despite the thousands of protesters taking to the streets of South Korea in anger over Park’s scandal, she is yet to admit wrongdoing, simply dismissing it as “confusion.” Park apologized for a “lack of discretion and carelessness,” but has not acknowledged the severity of her actions.
Although Choi was arrested, Park has been protected from legal retribution due to a law that grants the sitting president immunity from anything other than insurrection or treason. However, because of Park’s confirmed impeachment, her presidential immunity has been terminated and she is likely to face criminal charges.
