South Korea’s President, Park Geun-hye, Is Impeached

Park Geun-hye protest
Protesters attend a rally calling for impeached President Park Geun-hye's arrest in Seoul, South Korea on March 11, 2017. South Korean police on Saturday braced for more violence between opponents and supporters of ousted President Park Geun-hye, who was stripped of her powers by the Constitutional Court over a corruption scandal that has plunged the country into a political turmoil. The signs read "Go to prison." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Park Geun-hye protest
Protesters attend a rally calling for impeached President Park Geun-hye's arrest in Seoul, South Korea on March 11, 2017. South Korean police on Saturday braced for more violence between opponents and supporters of ousted President Park Geun-hye, who was stripped of her powers by the Constitutional Court over a corruption scandal that has plunged the country into a political turmoil. The signs read "Go to prison." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korea’s President, Park Geun-hye, Is Impeached

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South Korea is in crisis.

President Park Geun-hye was impeached Friday. She left the presidential palace Sunday. Two Park supporters died trying to break through police lines outside of the Constitutional Court, which upheld the parliamentary vote to impeach.

Park’s troubles originated, in large part, from corruption and influence peddling charges against her close friend and adviser, Choi Soon-sil. Choi is currently standing trial and apologized for Park’s impeachment. 

We get the latest from Bruce Cumings, professor of history at the University of Chicago. He’s author of numerous books on the Korean peninsula including The Korean War: A History and North Korea: Another Country.