Threats to impeach S Korea’s acting leader come as Park probe wraps

World Today

South Korea’s main opposition party is threatening to impeach the country’s acting president.

CGTN’s Jack Barton reports.

Hwang Kyo-ahn has refused to extend a special prosecutor’s investigation into the corruption scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye. Lawyers for President Park tried but were unable to delay the Constitutional Court’s impeachment trial.

A ruling on whether to uphold the impeachment is expected sometime in March. If the judges in the Constitutional Court ultimately decide to impeach President Park Geun-hye then fresh elections will be called within 60 days.

The corruption scandal erupted last December over accusations that Park colluded with a close friend to coerce big businesses, including Samsung, into donating millions of dollars to foundations set up to back the president’s initiatives. Park was impeached by parliament and has been stripped of her powers while the Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold the ruling.

A spokesman for South Korea’s acting president said the special prosecutor’s investigation into the political scandal would not be extended.