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A South Korean presidential election to choose a successor to ousted leader Park Geun-hye will be free and fair and held by May 9 at the latest, the election commission chairman said on Saturday, Reuters reports.

The chairman of the National Election Commission, Kim Yong-deok, said in a televised address he was concerned political differences could lead to an "overheated" atmosphere in the run-up to the vote and he called on the public to overcome "conflict" and take part.

The source reminds that The Constitutional Court dismissed Park Geun-hye on Friday over a graft scandal involving the country's conglomerates. Under the constitution, an election must be held within 60 days.

The probe against the president began when the new agencies spread some findings according to which Park Geun-hye allowed her long-time friend to interfere with state affairs and to influence over Ms Park's decision-making.