Impeachment vote puts Seoul on nuclear alert
South Korea’s acting president has warned of a crisis with North Korea, after Park Geun-hye was stripped of her powers following an overwhelming national assembly vote to impeach her.
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo Ahn, who takes over Park’s executive powers, has ordered extra precautions on the border.
‘‘North Korea will consider South Korea’s security situation as vulnerable,’’ he told Defence Mnister Han Min-koo. ‘‘It may carry out provocations through various methods including nuclear weapons, missiles, localised attacks and cyberhacking.’’
Members of parliament voted by 234 to 56 on Friday to impeach Park, who is accused of colluding with a female friend who allegedly influenced her decision-making, illegally scrutinised state documents and extorted money from South Korean companies.
‘‘I am so sorry for all South Koreans that I created this national chaos with my carelessness,’’ Park, 64, said in a televised statement after the vote. She denies any wrongdoing.
Until a final ruling by the country’s constitutional court, Hwang will take on Park’s executive powers, including command of the armed forces. The court has 180 days to reach a decision, and if it confirms the impeachment, a presidential election will be held.
Despite the clear condemnation from both politicians and the public, Park signalled that she would not be standing down but would wait with a ‘‘calm and clear mind’’ while the conservative-leaning Constitutional Court decided whether to uphold the impeachment motion.
This means that South Korea could be in for a long period of political paralysis.
Dozens of lawmakers from Park’s conservative Saenuri party crossed the aisle to vote with the 171 opposition and independent lawmakers pushing for impeachment.
People gathered in front of the National Assembly chanted ‘‘We won, we won!’’ after the voting results came out, while others danced and waved South Korean flags.
‘‘I heard grave voices of the people and the National Assembly, and I sincerely hope this chaotic I am so sorry for all South Koreans that I created this national chaos with my carelessness. situation will be resolved soon,’’ Park told a meeting of her cabinet shortly after the vote.
‘‘I sincerely apologise to the people for causing such widespread chaos while our national security situation and the economy are going through a difficult time,’’ she said, citing everything from bird flu to the challenge a cold winter would pose to the poor.
The scandal centres on allegations that the famously aloof Park – the country’s first female president, and daughter of military strongman Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea in the 1960s and 1970s – took advice from a secret confidante on a wide variety of topics, including North Korean policy and her wardrobe.
Prosecutors said that the confidante, Choi Soon-sil, a lifelong friend and daughter of a shadowy cult leader, used that relationship to enrich herself by at least US$70 million and gain advantages for her family. Choi has been indicted on charges, including abuse of power and extortion, and is in detention.
Prosecutors want to question Park about her role in the case, but she has refused. She is immune from prosecution while president but could be charged once she leaves office.
Hundreds of thousands of Koreans have been demonstrating in central Seoul for weeks, calling on Park to step down.