It marks further political chaos in the Winter Olympic and Paralympic host nation with 11 months to go until the Opening Ceremony. 

Park became the first democratically elected South Korea leader to be forced from office after being impeached earlier this year.

The scandal centred around her links to Choi Soon-si, her 60-year-old adviser, who exerted "undue influence" on policy-making despite having no official Government role. 

Chief judge Lee Jung-mi ruled how Park had violated the constitution and law "throughout her term"and illegally concealed the truth and lied to press. 

An election for a successor must now be held within the next 60 days. 

Two supporters of Park were reportedly killed during clashes police as hundreds of protesters tried to break through barriers.

“Pyeongchang 2018 remains committed and focused on Games preparations," spokesperson Sung Baik-you told insidethegames today.

"We welcome the support all the political parties have shown us so far, and we are sure that they will be fully behind the Games as we work to ensure that the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are the best they can be and are a wonderful showcase of Korea to the rest of the world.”

The political fallout has already delayed negotiations confirming the Organising Committee budget with the Government for 2017.

Choi is alleged to having influenced the tender process for Pyeongchang 2018 venues.

She has also been accused of having influenced the process by which Cho Yang-ho was replaced by Lee Hee-beom as Pyeongchang 2018 President last May. 

Efforts to promote the Games are also thought to have been impacted. 

It marks the second successive occasion where the female President of the Olympic host nation has been embroiled in a political scandal before the Games.

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and removed from office before Rio 2016, after being accused of manipulating the budget when successfully standing for re-election in 2014.