S. Korean court to rule on President Park's impeachment on Friday

SEOUL - South Korea's constitutional court said Wednesday that it will make a final ruling on President Park Geun-hye's impeachment later this week.

The ruling on whether to permanently remove Park from office or reinstate her will be made at 11 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Friday, the court said on its website.

It will be broadcast live as public attention is centered on the impeachment. The pleading sessions had also been aired live through the court's website.

The motion to impeach President Park was passed on Dec 9 through the National Assembly by an overwhelming support.

If six out of the eight justices uphold the motion, Park will be forced out of office. If more than three judges reject the bill, Park will be reinstated immediately.

The ruling date was set on Friday as the acting chief justice is scheduled to retire next Monday. Former chief judge retired on Jan 31.

A presidential election must be held in 60 days if the impeachment is upheld. Park would then be subject to indictment and detention as she loses the immunities as head of state.

Special prosecutors, who had investigated the corruption scandal embroiling President Park for 70 days, identified Park as an accomplice to her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil for multiple charges including bribery.

Choi is now in custody for meddling in state affairs behind the scenes and peddling undue influence for personal gains.