South Korea Parliament's impeachment vote went heavily against President Park Geun-hye on Friday. Even members of her own party voted against her in the National Assembly motion.
There have been massive protests against Park recently with thousands taking to the streets demanding her ouster. Her relationship with close friend, Choi Soon-sil reportedly led to Choi's increase in influence and financial benefits.
There were 234 votes for her impeachment and 56 against it. Her role will now be performed by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. Her powers will stand suspended until the Constitutional Court weighs in on it. The vote indicates that more than half of her own party members voted against her during the secret ballot.
Prosecutors said that Park had a major role in the alleged corruption. Park, despite denying having a part in corruption, apologised for her close relationship with Choi. Choi, the daughter of a religious sect leader, reportedly held sway over choosing government officials, Choi's wardrobe and helped in extorting millions of dollars from South Korean companies. It also involves leaks of classified information.
Park, a conservative party member, who took a strong stand against North Korea, rose to power with the help of those who had been supporters of her father, a military dictator Park Chung-hee.
Choi's father Choi Tae-min, a pseudo-Christian leader, had set up a cult called The Church of Eternal Life in 1974. Park's mother had been killed by a North Korean spy and Tae-min said that he was visited by Park's dead mother. He had become her mentor when she was 22 and the family connection remained several years later.
Her father and mother had been assassinated and she too had survived a knife attack.
