South Korean Acting President Goh Kun on Friday emphasized the need to put an end to the "abnormal" situation of the presidential impeachment as soon as possible.

In a televised speech after the conclusion of Thursday's parliamentary general elections, Goh noted that foreign sovereign rating agencies warned that the "impeachment situation" might undermine South Korea's sovereign credibility.

The acting president indirectly urged the Constitutional Court to expedite the process to determine the fate of impeached President Roh Moo-hyun.

The interim leader took over on March 12 when the opposition-controlled parliament impeached Roh for alleged illegal campaigning, corruption and incompetence.

The Constitutional Court is expected to make a ruling on Roh's fate by May, political and legal experts here said, although the court has up to 180 days for deliberations over the unprecedented impeachment move.

In the speech, Goh also said the people's will has been fully reflected in the just-concluded general elections, and urged the nation to transform the "conflicting opinions and divisive aspects" that arose during the campaign period into energy for national development.

"I hope the just-ended general elections will serve as the occasion for the nation to end the politics of confrontation and conflicts and help develop a new politics of coexistence, integration and cooperation," he said.

The interim leader said the government will continue to push ahead with the policy agenda pursued by Roh's administration.

Among the items on the agenda are deregulation, improving the business environment, attracting foreign investment and wider opening of the nation's markets.

Although Roh is not a member of the Uri Party, who won majorityin the new parliament, the president has made clear that he would join it in a proper time.

Thursday's parliamentary polls were widely seen as opinion polls over the impeachment, and the two main opposition parties were defeated by the Uri Party loyal to Roh.

Source: Xinhua