South Korea’s former president Park Geun-hye has been found guilty of abuse of power and coercion.
The details came in a nationally televised verdict as Judge Kim Se-yun read a lengthy statement at Seoul Central District Court.
Sentencing is to follow, and prosecutors have demanded a 30-year prison term.
Park was removed from office early last year following months of massive rallies that saw millions take to the nation’s streets calling for her to be ousted.
Once seen as the darling of South Korean conservatives, she was dubbed “Queen of Elections” by local media for her track record of leading her party to victory in tight races and still has a small group of fierce supporters who regularly stage rallies calling for her release.
Park maintains that she is a victim of “political revenge” and has been refusing to attend court sessions since October.
