When a sensational corruption scandal in South Korea stole global headlines late last year, many in the east Asian nation felt embarrassed for their country. Now they should feel pride.
On Friday the country’s top court upheld an earlier impeachment vote, officially ousting Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female leader, from office. This follows months of peaceful protests by South Koreans alarmed at claims of bribery, influence-peddling and even shamanistic rituals in the presidential Blue House. The demonstrations, which at one point were more than 1m strong, put pressure on both sides of the political divide. An impeachment motion easily passed the legislature.
In a unanimous decision of its eight judges, the constitutional court upheld the decision, saying Ms Park had “violated her duty to safeguard the nation”. This is significant not only for South Korea but the wider region. It has reinforced the country’s credentials as one of the world’s thriving democracies, responsive to public sentiment and bounded by due process and law. In doing so, South Korea has delivered a shot in the arm to liberal democracy when it is under threat the world over.