After ouster, conservative S. Korean president could face collusion, extortion charges

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)

The ouster of South Korean President Park Geun-hye by the country’s Constitutional Court today ends a power struggle that consumed the nation for months.

Her removal from office over a corruption scandal has the potential to reshape a country whose politics have long been marred by fraud and ideological bickering. The changes may begin with a presidential by-election expected in early May.

It’s a stunning downfall for Park, a conservative who convincingly beat her liberal opponent in 2012. No longer immune from prosecution, she may soon find herself in a criminal court defending charges that she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favors from companies and allowed the friend to secretly manipulate state affairs.