Park accused of violating Constitution

Hearing proceeded without impeached leader, who has refused to testify for the second time

South Korean lawmakers on Thursday accused President Park Geun-hye of "broadly and gravely" violating the Constitution as the country's Constitutional Court began hearing oral arguments in her impeachment trial.

The allegations were made as Park's lawyers and lawmakers, who serve as prosecutors in the trial, traded pointed arguments over accusations she colluded with a confidante to extort money and favors from companies and allowed the friend to unlawfully interfere with government affairs.