S. Korea’s parliament prepares to hold vote to impeach president

Park, South Korea’s first female president, would be the country’s second leader to face an impeachment vote.

November 20: In indicting Choi and Park’s two former aides, state prosecutors say they believe the president was “collusively involved” in criminal activities by the suspects, who allegedly bullied companies into giving tens of millions of dollars to foundations and businesses Choi controlled, and enabled Choi to interfere with state affairs.

“Amazing”, opposition lawmaker Roh Hoechan sarcastically replied.

Hwang Kyo-ahn’s office says he will make a speech at 8 p.m.

Hwang, 59, was a state prosecutor for almost 30 years before starting a career in politics and policymaking.

Her comments come ahead of a hand-over of power to her prime minister.

If Park resigns or an impeachment vote in parliament is upheld by the Constitutional Court, an election must be held in 60 days to nominate a president to serve a five-year term, with the prime minister leading the country in the interim. Former President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached by parliament in 2004, a motion that was overturned by the Constitutional Court which said grounds for impeachment were insufficient.

“I will relegate the decision to the National Assembly, including the shortening of my presidential term and resignation”, she said.

In early 2013, she returned to her childhood home, the presidential Blue House, after winning the presidency.

But while opposition lawmakers don’t particularly care for Hwang, some claim that he should at least have the authority to appoint senior officials.

“We believe that the impeachment will be overwhelmingly supported, but you never know what will happen until the last minute”, Rep. Keum Tae-sup, spokesman of the Minjoo Party, said in an interview with CBS radio. “There are nine justices and the constitution requires six or more have to be vote for the impeachment vote to stand”.

During court deliberations that can take up to 180 days, Park’s presidential powers including those related to personnel appointments are suspended.

Prosecutors say Park colluded in the criminal activities of a longtime confidante to manipulate government affairs and extort businesses.

At its heart, the scandal is about a woman named Choi Soon-sil and her very close relationship with Park.

But National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun said representatives of the major parties agreed not to give the public access to the premises because of the right of lawmakers to vote according to their conscience “should not be interfered with”.

Last year, the rivals appeared near a military clash following land mine blasts blamed on North Korea that maimed two South Korean soldiers. The plan angered locals who feared possible health hazards from the system’s powerful radar.

The president has already approved an independent investigation aimed at uncovering the truth behind swirling allegations – Park herself has been accused of being complicit in a scam to force corporate donations and allowing a secret confidante to wield power over state affairs. However, Hwang kept the job after the opposition-controlled parliament refused to approve Kim as prime minister and went on to push for Park’s impeachment.

This morning, as lawmakers began to arrive at the parliament, hundreds of protesters, some of whom spent the night on the streets after traveling from other cities, rallied in front of the National Assembly’s main gate and urged impeachment. Mark. The ruling Saenuri Party is now holding a general meeting of all its lawmakers, the two main opposition parties, Democratic Party of Korea, and the People’s Party, each held their morning meetings about an hour ago, once again showing their determination for the impeachment to go through.