Let rule of law guide nation out of this mess
People made a demand and their representatives have risen up to their masters' call.
That was how the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Park Geun-hye in a strong bipartisan vote Friday.
The day was not one for celebration but one of hope that our democracy can work.
For now, that hope is all the country has to see through a challenging road ahead. But there is a sense that that is good enough to finish this journey and rise above the sea of utter hopelessness the nation has been trapped in.
The impeachment came weeks after the nation was shocked by Park's admission that she had privatized her mandate, sharing it with her friend Choi Soon-sil who edited presidential speeches and appointed top officials.
More revelations followed in a deluge: Park had also extorted billions of won from conglomerates for Choi, who acted as if she were the president, and invited an outside stylist to coif her hair during the crucial initial hours after the Sewol ferry began sinking with hundreds of high school students on board.
These are included in the charges against Park but perhaps one that is not cited in the list is her biggest and most unforgivable crime: a breach of the people's trust.
The driving force that enabled Park's impeachment was people power: hundreds of thousands of them filled downtown Seoul and marched to the presidential office. Remarkably, they were peaceful with few reported injuries, setting the example that peace can be a more powerful tool than blunt weapons.
Only once before has the nation taken this path. In 2004, the late President Roh Moo-hyun was indicted by the legislature for allegedly electioneering for the ruling party ahead of a general election. Still, it was a chaotic time with state affairs put on hold. This time, the rule of law should be respected as strictly as ever to minimize any confusion.
As stipulated by law, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn should play the role of acting president.
His two important jobs will be to ensure the Constitutional Court deliberates impartially without any undue pressure on Park's impeachment, and to prepare as impartial umpire for a presidential election that should come within two months if the incumbent head of state leaves office before the end of her given term.
Hwang should also mind state affairs in close consultation with the National Assembly.
For President Park, it is imperative to cooperate with a special prosecutor's investigation to get to the bottom of this unsavory affair. It is lamentable that she insists on her innocence, draining national energy by engaging in dubious acts and damaging the office of the presidency.
True, the situation is dire, but it is worth reminding ourselves as a nation that we have overcome many challenges. We must not falter at this one.
People made a demand and their representatives have risen up to their masters' call.
That was how the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Park Geun-hye in a strong bipartisan vote Friday.
The day was not one for celebration but one of hope that our democracy can work.
For now, that hope is all the country has to see through a challenging road ahead. But there is a sense that that is good enough to finish this journey and rise above the sea of utter hopelessness the nation has been trapped in.
The impeachment came weeks after the nation was shocked by Park's admission that she had privatized her mandate, sharing it with her friend Choi Soon-sil who edited presidential speeches and appointed top officials.
More revelations followed in a deluge: Park had also extorted billions of won from conglomerates for Choi, who acted as if she were the president, and invited an outside stylist to coif her hair during the crucial initial hours after the Sewol ferry began sinking with hundreds of high school students on board.
These are included in the charges against Park but perhaps one that is not cited in the list is her biggest and most unforgivable crime: a breach of the people's trust.
The driving force that enabled Park's impeachment was people power: hundreds of thousands of them filled downtown Seoul and marched to the presidential office. Remarkably, they were peaceful with few reported injuries, setting the example that peace can be a more powerful tool than blunt weapons.
Only once before has the nation taken this path. In 2004, the late President Roh Moo-hyun was indicted by the legislature for allegedly electioneering for the ruling party ahead of a general election. Still, it was a chaotic time with state affairs put on hold. This time, the rule of law should be respected as strictly as ever to minimize any confusion.
As stipulated by law, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn should play the role of acting president.
His two important jobs will be to ensure the Constitutional Court deliberates impartially without any undue pressure on Park's impeachment, and to prepare as impartial umpire for a presidential election that should come within two months if the incumbent head of state leaves office before the end of her given term.
Hwang should also mind state affairs in close consultation with the National Assembly.
For President Park, it is imperative to cooperate with a special prosecutor's investigation to get to the bottom of this unsavory affair. It is lamentable that she insists on her innocence, draining national energy by engaging in dubious acts and damaging the office of the presidency.
True, the situation is dire, but it is worth reminding ourselves as a nation that we have overcome many challenges. We must not falter at this one.
