South Korea election to be free and fair, held by May 9 at the latest: Election commission

Supporters of Park Geun Hye holding at a protest outside the Constitutional Court of Korea ahead of the court's ruling on Park's impeachment in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday (March 10). PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

SEOUL (REUTERS) - South Korea's presidential election to choose a successor to ousted leader Park Geun Hye will be free and fair and held by May 9 at the latest, the election commission chairman said on Saturday (March 11).

The Constitutional Court dismissed Park Geun Hye on Friday over a graft scandal involving the country's conglomerates. Under the constitution, an election must be held within 60 days.

The chairman of the National Election Commission, Kim Yong Deok, said in a televised address he was concerned political differences could lead to an "overheated" atmosphere in the run-up to the vote and he called on the public to overcome "conflict" and take part.

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