S. Korean court to announce ruling on President Park's impeachment

SEOUL - South Korea's constitutional court will make a historic ruling on President Park Geun-hye's impeachment on Friday, almost four months after the passage of an impeachment motion in the parliament.

The eight-judge court will read its final ruling around 11 am local time (0200 GMT), which will be broadcast live as public attention is centered on the scandal-hit president's fate.

If more than six out of eight justices uphold the impeachment bill, Park will be removed from office permanently. If over three judges reject the motion, she will be reinstated immediately.

The bill to impeach President Park was passed in the National Assembly on Dec 9 by an overwhelming majority.

A total of 20 hearings had been held since Feb 27. Tens of witnesses appeared in the courtroom for questioning.

In recent months, almost 80 percent of South Koreans had supported Park's impeachment, but some 15 percent had opposed it.

If the court upholds the motion, President Park will become the first South Korean leader to be ousted through impeachment.

In 2004, late President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached, but he was reinstated two months later.