Park Geun-hye Impeachment: South Korea Parliament Voted to Remove Leader over Choi Soon-sil Scandal

South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye has been impeached over a corruption scandal after parliament voted with 234 to 56.

The number of votes on impeachment motion shows that some members of Park Geun-hye’s ruling Saenuri party voted in favor.

PM Hwang Kyo-ahn has become interim president.

Image source Wikimedia

Thousands of people took to the streets in recent weeks demanding Park Geun-hye’s removal. After the vote, she again apologized that she had “created this national chaos with my carelessness”.

At the heart of the crisis is the relationship between Park Geun-hye and her close friend Choi Soon-sil, who stands accused of using her connections to gain influence and financial benefits.

Choi Soon-sil is now in custody, facing charges of coercion and abuse of power.

Prosecutors say Park Geun-hye had a “considerable” role in the alleged corruption, which she has denied.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, 59, spent most of his career as a prosecutor, is now acting-president.

He had earlier served as justice minister, before becoming prime minister in June 2015.

In 2014, as justice minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn oversaw the banning of the Unified Progressive Party, which was accused of holding pro-North Korean views.

The move was criticized by the human rights group Amnesty International.