The trial of Choi Soon-sil, the woman of an influence-peddling scandal involving South Korea's President, has got under way. Ms Choi, a close friend of President Park Geun-hye, is charged with abuse of power and attempted fraud. <br/><br/>Separately, the Constitutional Court began considering President Park's impeachment over the scandal. That trial, where the court must ratify or overturn a Parliamentary impeachment vote, began despite Ms Park's absence.<br/>'<br/>Proceedings opened on Tuesday but were curtailed because Ms Park did not attend. Today, the court went ahead anyway. Her lawyer has previously said Ms Park will not be in court unless there are special circumstances. <br/><br/>Both cases centre on allegations President Park gave Ms Choi unauthorised access to government decisions and allowed her to exploit their close relationship to solicit money from corporations for foundations from which she benefitted. Both women have apologised but deny committing criminal offences.

The trial of Choi Soon-sil, the woman of an influence-peddling scandal involving South Korea's President, has got under way. Ms Choi, a close friend of President Park Geun-hye, is charged with abuse of power and attempted fraud. <br/><br/>Separately, the Constitutional Court began considering President Park's impeachment over the scandal. That trial, where the court must ratify or overturn a Parliamentary impeachment vote, began despite Ms Park's absence.<br/>'<br/>Proceedings opened on Tuesday but were curtailed because Ms Park did not attend. Today, the court went ahead anyway. Her lawyer has previously said Ms Park will not be in court unless there are special circumstances. <br/><br/>Both cases centre on allegations President Park gave Ms Choi unauthorised access to government decisions and allowed her to exploit their close relationship to solicit money from corporations for foundations from which she benefitted. Both women have apologised but deny committing criminal offences.