The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye Friday, saying she abused her power to help her friend Choi Soon-sil pursue personal gains. Park was immediately removed from office and an election to pick her successor will be held within 60 days.
The following are the court's ruling on each major charge the National Assembly brought against Park.
1) Letting Choi meddle in state affairs, abuse of power -- upheld
The court accepted most of the findings of a prosecution investigation, which revealed that numerous official documents, including state secrets, were leaked from the presidential office to Choi and that Park helped the woman establish foundations she later used to collect "donations" from local conglomerates, including Samsung Group. The court ruled that Park abused her status and power for Choi's personal gains. Her actions were not a fair execution of official duty and violated the Constitution, the Public Servants Law and Public Servants' Ethics to the extent that she deserves to be unseated.
2) Abuse of presidential powers to appoint, dismiss public officials -- rejected
The court recognized that Park ordered the dismissal of two officials of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and sacked then Culture Minister Yoo Jin-ryong as disciplinary measures. However, it said there was a lack of evidence to prove Park took the measures to benefit Choi.
The National Assembly accused Park of putting pressure on the Segye Times newspaper and demanding the resignation of its chief after the paper reported allegations of a secret inner circle manipulating state affairs, which included Choi's former husband Jeong Yun-hoe. The court ruled there was no evidence to prove the allegations.
4) Violation of duty to protect lives and faithfully execute duties -- not in its jurisdiction
Park has faced criticism for her alleged inaction during a 2014 ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people, mostly high school students. The court said a president has a duty to protect citizens' lives, but it is not in the court's jurisdiction to determine whether she faithfully carried out her duties. It also said it is difficult to recognize that the president has a specific responsibility to take part in rescue operations in a disaster threatening people's lives. (Yonhap)
The following are the court's ruling on each major charge the National Assembly brought against Park.
1) Letting Choi meddle in state affairs, abuse of power -- upheld
The court accepted most of the findings of a prosecution investigation, which revealed that numerous official documents, including state secrets, were leaked from the presidential office to Choi and that Park helped the woman establish foundations she later used to collect "donations" from local conglomerates, including Samsung Group. The court ruled that Park abused her status and power for Choi's personal gains. Her actions were not a fair execution of official duty and violated the Constitution, the Public Servants Law and Public Servants' Ethics to the extent that she deserves to be unseated.
2) Abuse of presidential powers to appoint, dismiss public officials -- rejected
The court recognized that Park ordered the dismissal of two officials of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and sacked then Culture Minister Yoo Jin-ryong as disciplinary measures. However, it said there was a lack of evidence to prove Park took the measures to benefit Choi.
3) Violation of press freedom -- rejected
The National Assembly accused Park of putting pressure on the Segye Times newspaper and demanding the resignation of its chief after the paper reported allegations of a secret inner circle manipulating state affairs, which included Choi's former husband Jeong Yun-hoe. The court ruled there was no evidence to prove the allegations.
4) Violation of duty to protect lives and faithfully execute duties -- not in its jurisdiction
Park has faced criticism for her alleged inaction during a 2014 ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people, mostly high school students. The court said a president has a duty to protect citizens' lives, but it is not in the court's jurisdiction to determine whether she faithfully carried out her duties. It also said it is difficult to recognize that the president has a specific responsibility to take part in rescue operations in a disaster threatening people's lives. (Yonhap)
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