SEOUL - The liberal politician expected to succeed disgraced Park Geun-hye as the Republic of Korea's next president could significantly soften Seoul's stance towards the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and possibly delay deployment of a US missile-defence system.

A Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Park from office after upholding her impeachment over a corruption scandal involving chaebol, the family-run conglomerates that dominate Asia's fourth-biggest economy, and which could also face reform under a liberal leader.

Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets on Saturday night for a last, festive candlelight rally to celebrate Park's ouster.