The Constitutional Court made a historic ruling last Friday that upheld the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye over the corruption scandal. The top court decision stripped her from presidential immunity and dispelled her from office immediately after the announcement of the verdict in the morning of March 10. Park became the first Korean president ousted by the impeachment trial.

16 millions of citizens across the country have participated in a series of peaceful candlelight rallies to oust the scandalous President Park Geun-hye and to bring justice to her associates in allegation charges. The candlelight rallies of peaceful people's resistance movement in Korea dubbed as 'Candlelight Revolution' were held 20 times during weekends without any clashes and accidents for 134 days stretched from last October until the day of the top court ruling in March this year.

Disgraced President Park Geun-hye became a 'former' president immediately after the top court ruling against her, but she stayed in the presidential office for two nights without expressing her acceptance of the top court decision until she eventually left for her old private home in southern Seoul. No neighborhood came out to greet her, save her followers and supporters. She may face a probe over a criminal offense allegation.

According to the law, the presidential election must take place within 60 days after the impeachment decision. Considering the nomination procedures of presidential candidates within the political parties and the official presidential election campaigns and a long holiday period in early May, many people believe that the election date will be May 9.

reported by Yoon Ja-eun and the editing team
translated by Kim Sung-jin