Prime Minister takes over for impeached South Korean president

South Korean lawmakers today voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye. The vote came amid recent reports of extortion, abuse of power, and bribery, along with protests by millions calling for her to step down. Park was the nation’s first female leader and daughter of former South Korean dictator Park Chung-hee. The impeachment bill passed by a vote of 234-56, well over the necessary two-thirds vote needed in the 300-seat assembly. In the weeks leading up to the vote, Park’s approval rating plunged to 4 percent. An opinion survey released Friday morning said 81 percent of respondents supported Park’s impeachment. “I’d like to say that I’m deeply sorry to the people because the nation has to experience this turmoil because of my negligence and lack of virtue at a time when our security and economy both face difficulties,” Park said after the vote. Presidential powers transferred today to Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn while the country’s Constitutional Court decides whether to accept her impeachment and formally end her presidency. The Court has six months to decide.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.