A spokesperson for United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN chief had been following the South Korean parliament's motion to impeach President Park Geun-hye 'with concern.'

"The Secretary-General has taken note of today's development on the impeachment motion of President Park Geun-hye by the National Assembly of The Republic of Korea. As has repeatedly been said, the Secretary-General has been following the developments with concern. He continues to believe in the maturity and strength of the constitutional institutions of The Republic of Korea. The Secretary-General is confident that the people of Korea will overcome the present difficulties through unity and resilience. As well as a strong commitment to democratic institutions and principles," said UN Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq.