[Blue House]
South Korea's court opened a new chapter in its history with a landmark decision to oust President Park Geun-hye, defining her as a criminal who has betrayed the trust of citizens with "intolerable" illegality.
The stern verdict was read by Lee Jung-mi, the 54-year-old chief justice of the constitutional court which stigmatized Park as a criminal who should be punished for the "grave" violation of the constitution and laws.
"I feel as if I'm standing at a historic moment," Lee said in opening remarks, expressing hope that the verdict would help South Korea cease political chaos and national division caused by Park's illegal activities. "The court deeply acknowledges the importance of this historic moment and will hand down its ruling with heavy hearts."
Park "defiled the fundamentals of representative democracy and constitutionalism" by helping her jailed crony, Choi Soon-sil, to pursue "personal interests", Lee said. "(Park's) violation of the constitution and the law is tantamount to betraying the trust of people, and we must see her acts as the intolerable and grave violation of the law."
Initially, Park was impeached for multiple 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.
Park was also accused of allowing her friend Choi Soon-sil -- without any government post or security clearance -- to meddle in important state affairs.
The court rejected some charges, citing insufficient evidence, but ruled Park showed no will to defend the constitution by covering up Choi's criminal activities and interference in crucial state affairs.
Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
![[TEXT] Unofficial translation of President Park Geun-hyes statement](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2016/11/29/20161129154812597804.jpg)
