UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced confidence on Friday that South Korea will overcome the political turmoil triggered by the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye.
A former South Korean foreign minister who was widely believed to be angling to run for the presidency in his home country, Ban said in a statement that he had "taken note" of the vote in the National Assembly to remove Park from office.
Ban "continues to believe in the maturity and strength of the constitutional institutions of the republic of Korea," said the UN statement.
"The secretary-general is confident that the people of the republic of Korea will overcome the present difficulties through unity and resilience as well as a strong commitment to democratic institutions and principles," it added.
The vote leaves South Korea facing political anxiety and paralysis at a time of slowing economic growth, rising unemployment and heightened military tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.
Ban, 72, is stepping down on December 31 as UN chief and was expected to run in elections next year as the leader of Park's party, but the scandal may have derailed his plans.
The career diplomat has repeatedly said he remained focused on his job as UN chief until the end.
Ban is due to hold his final press conference as UN secretary-general next Friday.
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