South Korea’s Constitutional Court upholds President Park’s impeachment

Park supporters, gathered near Seoul’s Constitutional Court and reportedly numbering in the thousands, were hemmed by a ring of police officers and vehicles.

The circumstances of the second death were being investigated. The nation’s acting president is calling for unity and calm as the impeached former President Park Geun-hye packs her bags. Park declined to appear before the court, although she issued statements through her lawyers in which she had steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.

With the impeachment, Park has become the first president to be successfully impeached before the end of her term after democracy replaced dictatorship in the country in the 1980s.

In its ruling, the eight-judge panel unanimously voted to impeach the president.

“The benefits of protecting the constitution that can be earned by dismissing the defendant are overwhelmingly big”.

Meanwhile, South Koreans are required by law to elect a new president within 60 days.

She has so far remained in the official presidential compound, the Blue House, but a spokesman says she will soon leave for her private home.

Prosecutors allege the money was given to obtain government backing for a contentious merger of two Samsung companies in 2015 that served as a key step in passing corporate control to Lee from his ailing father.

Lee’s trial for bribery and embezzlement began on Thursday, in a court case being billed as the trial of the century.

An official from the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul said another man brought from the pro-Park rally died shortly after receiving CPR at the hospital.

The court’s judgement has been highly anticipated, and its decision is set to be carried live on television across the nation. Some attempted to climb the buses that barricading them from the court and scuffled with police.

Police blocked the main thoroughfare running through downtown Seoul in anticipation of bigger protests.

Nov 20, 2016: Prosecutors indict Choi on charges of abuse of power and attempted fraud.

Paramedics give first-aid treatment to a protester near the constitutional court.

“We demand the arrest of Park Geun-hye and the resignation of acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn”, said Choi In-sook, a spokeswoman for protesters opposed to Park, told Reuters.

With only caretaker powers, Hwang has done little in office to distinguish himself, but if he chooses to run, finance minister Yoo Il-Ho is next in line to take over.

South Korea now has two months to hold snap elections.

Beijing has vigorously protested against the deployment, fearing its radar could see into its missile deployments.

North Korean state media denounced Park as a criminal.