South Korean Court Removes President Park Geun-hye On Corruption Charges

South Korea’s Constitutional Court removed President Park Geun-hye from office Friday over charges of graft and corruption. The unanimous ruling strips Park of immunity from prosecution, clearing the way for her to face criminal charges. Park’s power had been sharply reduced since December, when South Korea’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to impeach her. Outside the courthouse in the capital Seoul on Friday, thousands of Park’s supporters tried to break through police barricades. At least two of them were killed in the violence. South Korea’s prime minister and acting president, Hwang Kyo-ahn, appealed for calm.\

"In order to stop internal conflicts from intensifying, we should manage the social order and keep a stable government, so that national anxiety and the international society’s concern can be settled," said Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn.

A new election will be held in 60 days. Park’s conservative party appears headed to defeat, and its fall from power could mean South Korea’s next leader will take a more conciliatory approach toward North Korea. The upheaval comes days after North Korea test-fired several ballistic missiles and as the Trump administration began deploying a missile defense system to South Korea. Chinese officials warn the U.S. is escalating a regional arms race.