Sanctions Against North Korea Must Be Maintained - South Korean PM

In the wake of South Korea’s parliament vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has called for heightening military readiness to prevent provocations from North Korea as well as for maintaining of sanctions against Pyongyang, the Yonhap news agency reported Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, 234 lawmakers of the 300-seat parliament voted in favor Park's impeachment over the ongoing political and scandal.

“It is necessary to maintain sanctions against North Korea,” Hwang told Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se in a phone call as cited by the agency.

Hwang warned him that North Korea could take advantage of the situation and threaten Seoul at any time, therefore the military must stay on high alert.

Meanwhile, it would take the Constitutional Court up to 180 days to decide on the impeachment motion. Hwang will assume interim presidential powers while the Constitutional Court deliberates.

Park has come under fire over allegedly violating the Constitution by letting her confidante Choi Soon-sil exert influence on state affairs and have unlawful benefits.