S.Korean court to rule on Park's fate

South Korea's highest court is set to rule on whether impeached President Park Geun-hye should permanently step down over a corruption scandal or be reinstated to office.

If the Constitutional Court rules on Friday to formally unseat Park, the country will have to hold a presidential election within 60 days.

South Korea's opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach Park in December following weeks of protests over suspicions she conspired with a confidante to extort money and favours from companies and allowed the friend to secretly manipulate state affairs.

Park has apologised for putting trust in her jailed friend, Choi Soon-sil, but denies any legal wrongdoing.