South Korea’s National Assembly on Friday voted overwhelmingly to impeach beleaguered President Park Geun-hye. The vote passed 234 to 56, sending the impeachment proceedings to the Korean constitutional court, which could deliberate for as long as several months on the matter. Park, 64, had been the center of a massive political scandal involving her longtime friendship with Choi Soon-sil, who is accused of widespread extortion and influence-peddling. Weekly protests have flooded the streets of Seoul demanding her resignation as various scandals have been uncovered—including a mass government purchase of Viagra. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will take over presidential duties now that Park has been stripped of her powers.
