[Photo by Yoo Dae-kil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]
South Korea's President Park Geun-hye, suspended for her role in a corruption scandal, boycotted the first court hearing Tuesday on her impeachment, triggering a public outcry.
The hearing lasted just for nine minutes due to Park's absence. Park's attorney said the embattled president would continue to stay away, but the court can proceed in her absence through a proxy. The second hearing will be held on Thursday.
The constitutional court has 180 days to complete its legal review. A presidential election should be held within two months if the court approves impeachment.
Park was impeached by parliament on December 9 at the height of anti-government protests that have seen millions of citizens taking to the streets in an unprecedented demonstration of people power.
Since late October, the scandal has put South Korea into a political quagmire, paralyzing state affairs and aggravating economic woes. But Park, who took office in early 2013 as South Korea's first female president, has refused to step down by herself.
Park faces charges that she violated the people's sovereignty and the rule of law, abused her power, infringed on the freedom of the press, neglected her duty to protect the right to life, and took part in bribery and other crimes.
At an unofficial news conference on Sunday, Park vowed to fight back, contending she was the victim of "distorted and false" suspicions. "Rumors, stories, and broadcasts have been distorted too much, with false information and erroneous reports going around," she said, contending she was not involved in any wrongdoing.
She is accused of allowing her friend Choi Soon-sil -- without any government post or security clearance -- to meddle in important state affairs, including top-level personnel appointments.
Choi was arrested for siphoning off money from two public foundations created with cash donations from dozens of conglomerates. Park's aides have been charged with peddling influence to collect money from businessmen.
Tuesday's hearing came after Choi's daughter was arrested in the northern Danish city of Aalborg on charges of illegal stay. The South's justice ministry has submitted an extradition request to get her back home. A Danish court extended Chung's detention by four weeks until January 30, although she said she would return to Seoul if she is allowed to stay with her 19-month-old baby.
Chung, 21, allegedly took undue favors from Ewha Womans University regarding admission and academic affairs by taking advantage of close ties between her mother and Park.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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