The Latest: Japan says more work needed on 'comfort women'

Supporters of South Korean President Park Geun-hye stage a rally opposing her impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, March 10, 2017. People gathered Friday ahead of a court ruling on whether impeached Park will be removed from office over a corruption scandal or allowed to complete her term. The sign reads " South Koran President Park Geun-hye." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (The Associated Press)

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Supporters of South Korean President Park Geun-hye watch a broadcast live of a Constitutional Court decision on a smart phone during a rally opposing her impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, March 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (The Associated Press)

Supporters of South Korean President Park Geun-hye stage a rally opposing her impeachment near Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, March 10, 2017. In a historic ruling Friday, South Korea's Constitutional Court formally removed the impeached president from office over a corruption scandal that has plunged the country into political turmoil, worsened an already-serious national divide and led to calls for sweeping reforms. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (The Associated Press)

SEOUL, South Korea – The Latest on South Korean President Park Geun-hye's removal from office Friday by the Constitutional Court (all times local):

1:55 p.m.

Japan's top diplomat says it will continue to work with a South Korean government led by the successor of ousted President Park Geun-hye.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters Friday that he would not comment on the court ruling that removed the impeached president, citing internal politics.

Kishida says both countries must work on the "comfort women" dispute that has strained their relations for decades. He says he hopes Tokyo and South Korea's new government can implement a 2015 agreement they signed to fully resolve the impasse over sexual exploitation of the women by Japan for its troops before and during World War II.

Kishida says Japan has no immediate plan to send back the ambassador it temporarily recalled to protest a "comfort woman" statue built outside of its consulate in the South Korean city of Busan.

11:55 a.m.

The United States says the removal of South Korean President Park Geun-hye is a domestic issue that doesn't affect its strong alliance with the country.

The Constitutional Court formally removed the impeached Park from office Friday over a corruption scandal.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner says the U.S. will continue to work with the acting president, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, and looks forward to whomever South Koreans choose in a presidential election to be held within two months.

Toner says Park's removal is "a domestic issue on which the United States takes no position," and that it's up to the South Korean people to determine their country's future.

He says the two nations' alliance "will continue to be a linchpin of regional stability and security."