Park impeached, but South Korea's problems are just beginning

THE writing was on the wall long before last Friday, when South Korea's Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of impeaching the country's embattled president, Park Geun-hye.

No one would have been too surprised at the outcome, given that she had little hope of surviving an embarrassing and explosive influence-peddling scandal that led members of her own party to want to oust her. After nearly four years at the helm, the political future of the nation's first female leader hangs in the balance.

Even as much of South Korea erupted in euphoria upon hearing news of the National Assembly's decision, the problems for the country are probably just beginning. Ms Park's powers are now suspended while the constitutional court has up to six months to consider whether to remove her for good. If it chooses to do so, South Koreans will go to the polls to pick a new president within 60 days. Until the court makes up its mind, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn serves as acting president.