Hours after South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally arrested, triggering rioting by his supporters, his lawyers said Sunday that he remains defiant in his refusal to answer questions over the probe into his declaration of martial law last month.

South Korea has decided to extend to April 18 the shutdown of Muan international airport where a Jeju Air passenger jet crashed last month, the transport ministry said on Saturday.

Law enforcement authorities have requested a warrant to formally arrest impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is spending his third day at a detention center after his lawyers failed in a last-minute attempt to secure his release.

Police stand guard outside Seoul Detention Center where impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is held in custody, while a Pro-Yoon rally takes place outside, in Uiwang, South Korea, January 16, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

T HE PRESIDENCY of South Korea can be a treacherous job. Past office-holders have been impeached and even assassinated. But until January 15th, when investigators took Yoon Suk Yeol into custody, a sitting president had never been arrested.

Trump defense secretary nominee Pete Hesgeth ruffled feathers in S. Korea with his written statement to the Senate panel overseeing his confirmation

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged insurrection, and in between being questioned the suspended leader is expected to be held in a solitary cell at a detention centre.

Seoul, South Korea – South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally arrested early Sunday, days after being apprehended at his presidential compound in Seoul. He faces possible imprisonment over his ill-fated declaration of martial law last month.

FILE PHOTO: Police officers and investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials leave the official residence of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his arrest, in Seoul, South Korea, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo

South Korea looks set for a dramatic political showdown this week as impeachment proceedings kick off against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, who remains holed up in his fortified residence evading arrest for a separate criminal investigation.

South Korea's central bank unexpectedly left its policy interest rate unchanged on Thursday, weighing the impact of its back-to-back rate cuts last year while supporting the won which weakened to a 15-year low versus the U.