South Korea's Constitutional Court is set to begin hearings into the impeachment process of President Park Geun-Hye. The court has up to 180 days to decide the political fate of the country's first female president.

Park has been suspended from her duties since the impeachment vote on December 9, with the prime minister taking over. She is accused of colluding with her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil to force large companies like Samsung to hand over tens of millions of dollars to two foundations that Choi allegedly controlled.

Park is also accused of allowing Choi to meddle in state affairs, including the appointment of top officials.