Throngs of protesters cheered as the South Korean parliament voted in favor of impeaching President Park Geun-hye. An ongoing political scandal has sunk her approval rating to less than 5 percent.
The parliament’s Dec. 9 decision is the culmination of rallies and protests that have been going on for weeks. Millions of people have participated in calls for Park’s removal.
“I solemnly accept the voice of the parliament and the people and sincerely hope this confusion is soundly resolved,” Park said in her last televised apology.
According to law, Park has relinquished her duties, which will be taken over by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. He will stay on until the Constitutional Court affirms the parliamentary decision and a new president is elected.
Park Geun-hye’s downfall was triggered by reports that she had been passing state secrets to Choi Soon-sil, a close personal friend and the daughter of a cult leader.
“The approval of the impeachment bill of Park Geun-hye is what the great candlelight at the square has achieved. Impeachment is not an end but a new start. Candlelight for an immediate resignation and clean-up of a deep-rooted evil will spread even further,” an activist said in an impassioned speech at a rally in Seoul, the South Korean capital.
(NTD Television)
