SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of — South Korea is entering potentially one of the most momentous weeks in its recent political history, with impeachment looming for President Park Geun-hye as ruling party dissenters align with the opposition in a strengthening effort to force her out. National Security Office chief Kim Kwan-Jin (L) and other presidential aides take an oath during a hearing on South Korean President Park Geun-Hye's corruption scandal in Seoul ©YONHAP (YONHAP/AFP)

Park is accused of colluding with her long-time friend, Choi Soon-Sil, to strong-arm giant corporations into "donating" nearly $70 million to two dubious non-profit foundations. In an impeachment motion submitted to the National Assembly over the weekend, opposition parties accused Park of conspiring with Choi to force large South Korean businesses, including Hyundai and Samsung, to donate tens of millions of dollars to two foundations Choi controlled.
The South Korean National Assembly begins hearings ahead of an impeachment vote against President Park Geun-Hye.