SEOUL) - The liberal politician expected to succeed disgraced Park Geun-hye as South Korea's next president could make significant policy changes on North Korea, on a US missile-defense system that has enraged China and on powerful big business. A Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Park from office after upholding her impeachment over a corruption scandal involving 'chaebol' - the family-run conglomerates that dominate Asia's fourth-biggest economy. A presidential election will be held by May 9 and opinion polls suggest South Koreans will opt for change by electing a liberal into the presidential Blue House, ending nine years of conservative rule. The front-runner is Moon Jae-in, a human rights lawyer who was a top aide to former President Roh Moo-hyun, an advocate of a 'sunshine policy' of engagement with North Korea.
(photo credit: JPOST STAFF)