Impeached leader rejects accusations

Park claims she was 'framed' and denies giving friend sway over government policy

Impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye vehemently rejected accusations on Sunday that she conspired with a longtime friend to extort money and favors from companies, accusing her opponents of framing her.

In a meeting with a selected group of reporters, Park denied that she gave her jailed friend, Choi Soon-sil, extraordinary sway over government decisions and also refuted allegations that her administration blacklisted thousands of artists for their political beliefs, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.