South Korean President Park Geun-Hye was fired by the country’s top court on Friday, as it upheld her impeachment by parliament over a wide-ranging corruption scandal.

The unanimous decision brought to a climax months of political turmoil that brought millions of people onto the streets in weekly protests, and triggers a new presidential election to be held within 60 days.

That will offer South Korea a chance to draw a line under the scandal, which has occupied its attention for months, even as North Korea has unleashed new missile launches and threats that have raised international alarm.

Park, the country’s first female president, also becomes its first leader to be removed by impeachment. She is obliged to leave the Blue House and loses her executive immunity from prosecution.

Her actions “seriously impaired the spirit of representative democracy and the rule of law,” constitutional court chief justice Lee Jung-Mi said.

“President Park Geun-Hye… has been dismissed.”

Rival groups of supporters and opponents watched as the verdict was read out live on television.

Park was found to have broken the law by allowing her friend Choi Soon-Sil — who is already on trial for abuse of power — to meddle in state affairs, and breached rules on public servants’ activities.

“Park’s breaching of the constitution and the laws betrayed the trust of the people,” said judge Lee, describing her actions as “a serious and unacceptable violation of the laws”.

The president “completely concealed Choi’s meddling in state affairs and denied it whenever suspicions over the act emerged and even criticized those who raised the suspicions.”

One of Park’s lawyers expressed “strong regrets” over the verdict.

But Kwon Seong-Dong, a lawmaker and a member of the parliamentary indictment committee, said the verdict confirmed the rule of law and that “all people including the president are equal in front of the law”.

Source: AFP