MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The bill was endorsed by 171 lawmakers from three parties, according to the national news agency Yonhap. A two-thirds majority in the 300-seat legislature is needed for the impeachment trial to start.
The impeachment bill will be formally tabled in parliament during a regular session next Thursday, with an impeachment vote expected the next day.
The president has been implicated in a corruption scandal involving her long-time friend Choi Soon-sil, who is accused of extorting billions worth of donations to her foundation from local businesses.
President Park’s suspected involvement in Choi’s case triggered calls for her resignation and brought hundreds of thousands to the streets. A sixth protest will be reportedly held across the country later in the day.
If the impeachment process goes ahead, this will be the first time that a sitting South Korean president is removed from office.
