S Korean Constitutional Court Holds First Session on President Impeachment

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has held its first session Monday after the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — On Friday, South Korea's parliament voted in favor of removing Park from office amid a corruption scandal.

According to the Yonhap News Agency, the court should set the date for the beginning of hearings over the corruption scandal around the president, set up a working group and a case review schedule, and finally determine whether or not to accept Park’s impeachment no later than in half a year.

The scandal around Park broke out in October, when media reported that the president allowed her close friend and "shadow adviser" Choi Soon-sil to edit her speeches, thus exerting influence on state affairs not having a title in Park’s administration. Choi also allegedly used her privileged position to extort money from companies for her non-commercial funds.

While the Court deliberates, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will assume interim presidential powers. In case the court rules against Park, the country will have to hold an early general election within 60 days after the president steps down.