S. Korean president permanently removed from office as court upholds impeachment

South Korean President Park Geun-hye was permanently removed from office Friday as the constitutional court upheld the motion to impeach the scandal-hit leader.

The court's acting chief justice Lee Jung-mi read the ruling on the impeachment, broadcast live nationwide, saying it was the unanimous decision of eight justices.

By law, the court's ruling takes effect immediately after the reading. Park will be required to leave the presidential Blue House as she officially lost all of presidential power and her title as incumbent president.

(APD)