South Korean president officially removed from office

by Nikita Vladimirov - 03/09/17 10:41 PM ET

South Korea’s Constitutional Court officially upheld the impeachment of President Park Guen-hye Thursday evening, a decision that is sure to rock politics in the region.

In a unanimous 8-0 ruling, the court backed the decision reached by South Korea’s National Assembly last year to remove Park from office.

{mosads}Park was caught in a high-profile corruption scandal that involved her informal adviser, Choi Soon-sil.

Park is the first South Korean president to be impeached. The BBC also reported that Park will lose her presidential immunity and is now subject to prosecution.

It is not clear if prosecutors will seek to interview her.

At least two people died in protests following the ruling. Police and hospital officials say dozens more were injured in clashes surrounding the court.

South Korea must now vote on a new leader in the next 60 days.

The nation’s prime minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn, assumed presidential responsibilities following Park’s impeachment last year.

Updated at 6:58 a.m. Friday.

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