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South Korean lawmakers begin presidential impeachment vote
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Lawmakers of opposition parties wait for the plenary session as they put placards reading "President Park Geun-hye, Impeachment" at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. (AP/Lee Jin-man)
South Korean lawmakers have begun an impeachment vote on President Park Geun-hye.
The vote would, if successful, suspend her powers over an explosive corruption scandal that saw millions protest in recent weeks.
If impeachment passes, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn would assume leadership until the country's Constitutional Court rules on whether Park must permanently step down.
The court would have up to 180 days to decide. If Park was formally unseated, the country must hold a presidential election within 60 days.
State prosecutors have accused Park of colluding with a confidante who extorted companies and manipulated state affairs. Park denies the claims.
South Korean lawmakers last voted to impeach a president in 2004, accusing the late Roh Moo-hyun of election law violations and incompetence. The court reinstated Roh about two months later.
