World

SEOUL  — Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stormed a Seoul court Sunday after a judge extended the impeached leader's detention over his ill-fated attempt to impose martial law.

Yoon said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the pre-dawn attack on the court, where his supporters smashed windows and doors.

Tens of thousands of people had gathered outside the Seoul Western District Court in a show of support Saturday for the president, who became South Korea's first sitting head of state to be arrested in a dawn raid this week.

AFP journalists saw hundreds of police officers charge into the court, with the force arresting dozens and denouncing an "intolerable illegal and violent incident".

The incident is the latest episode in South Korea's spiraling political crisis which erupted on December 3, when Yoon declared martial law and dispatched troops to parliament.

His attempt to suspend civilian rule lasted just six hours after lawmakers defied soldiers to vote it down. They later impeached the president, suspending him from duty.

Yoon vowed Sunday to "persist, no matter how long it takes, in rectifying any injustices", despite facing a Constitutional Court ruling on his impeachment and the criminal probe that has seen him detained.

In announcing investigators could hold Yoon for a further 20 days, the Seoul court told AFP there were concerns he could destroy evidence if released.

The president said he would attempt to show the "purpose and legitimacy of the martial law declaration", in a statement issued Sunday through his lawyers.

His backers have claimed Yoon's decision was justified due to election fraud in legislative polls won last year by the opposition, for which they present no evidence.

They frequently wave American flags and have adopted the "stop the steal" rhetoric associated with US President-elect Donald Trump, whose supporters stormed Washington's Capitol to try to overturn his earlier election defeat.

Acting police chief Lee Ho-young said the force would "thoroughly investigate right-wing YouTubers if they were involved in this violent break-in" after the attack was livestreamed.

KYIV — A Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian capital killed three people on Saturday, Ukrainian leaders said, branding it a "heinous" attack, while Moscow described it as "retaliation".

Ukrainian officials said another three people were killed in Russian strikes elsewhere in the country, and Moscow claimed fresh advances on the ground.

Russia frequently targets Kyiv with aerial attacks, but deadly strikes there are rare as the capital is heavily protected by air defences and better able to fend off attacks than elsewhere in the country.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the world to step up pressure on the Kremlin to force it to end the nearly three-year invasion.

City officials said the victims were two men, aged 43 and 25, and a 41-year-old woman.

AFP journalists in Kyiv saw a multi-storey building with windows blown out, debris strewn across the street, flooding, and the charred facade of a damaged McDonald's outlet.

Russia's defence ministry said its forces had "carried out a group strike with precision-guided weapons against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, including the Luch Design Bureau that develops and manufactures long-range guided missiles".

The attack on the target in Kyiv was "retaliation" for Ukraine's use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles in strikes on Russian territory, it added.

At least three people were killed and three wounded, Zelensky said, revising down an earlier toll of four.

"Everyone who is helping the Russian state in this war must be put under such pressure that it is felt no less than these strikes," Zelensky said on social media.

Later Saturday, in his evening address, Zelensky noted that the strikes had been carried out by ballistic missiles.

"We are constantly working to secure more air-defense systems for Ukraine, modern systems , capable of intercepting these types of ballistic missiles," he added.

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump confirmed that his inauguration as US president on Monday will move indoors due to expected freezing weather, undercutting the Republican's hopes for a grandiose spectacle to kick off his second term.

"There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country," Trump wrote on his Truth Social feed on Friday. "Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda."

The change of plan means Trump will not stand on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which traditionally hosts a large crowd to welcome new presidents. The Rotunda, an ornate, round hall under the dome of Congress, can typically only hold a few hundred people.

Washington is forecast to be well below freezing on Monday, with gusty winds adding to the cold.

Preparations have already been made in Washington for a huge influx of visitors, including thousands of chairs neatly lined up on the Mall, but most will now have to watch on television.

It's the first time the emergency measure has been taken since the 1985 inauguration of Ronald Reagan, also due to dangerously cold weather.

In his post, Trump said that "various Dignitaries and Guests" will attend the events inside the Capitol, including prayers, the inaugural address and the singing of the anthem.

The Republican, who has built a political brand around his large rallies, said supporters could watch the event on a live feed in Washington's Capital One sports arena, and that he would go there after.

Trump, who at 78 will be the oldest person ever to assume the presidency, said the ceremonies in the Rotunda "will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!"

"We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In."

Trump supporter Matthew Medill, visiting Washington from more balmy California, said some will be disappointed, but "we are expecting a lot of excitement and a lot of jubilation,  it doesn't matter what the weather is."

BERLIN — Germany's defence minister said he was open to sending German soldiers to Ukraine to help secure a demilitarised zone there if a ceasefire were agreed with Russia, in remarks published Saturday.

In an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, Boris Pistorius also said Germany should aim to spend around three per cent of GDP on defence.

US President-elect Donald Trump wants members of the NATO military alliance to devote five per cent of their national output on defence, a demand that has already been rejected as too high by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Asked about a possible deployment of German troops to help secure a buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine if one were agreed, Pistorius said: "We're the largest NATO partner in Europe. We'll obviously have a role to play."

He said the issue would "be discussed in due time".

Trump, who takes office on Monday, said during his election campaign he could end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in fewer than 24 hours. His camp has since indicated that he needs more time.

Discussions could nevertheless start soon, notably with a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But Ukraine is not currently in a position of sufficient strength to start any peace negotiations with Russia, NATO secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

Pistorius said Russia was currently occupying "18 or 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory". But despite nearly three years of war, it had "not gained more" than that and had suffered "extensive losses in its own army" in the attempt.

The United States claimed recently that Moscow had lost nearly 1,500 men a day in November. 

Asked about the contribution Germany should make towards NATO defence spending, Pistorius said: "We should be talking more about three per cent than two."

Germany currently devotes around two per cent of its GDP to defence. 

On January 9, Chancellor Olaf Scholz rebuffed Trump's demand for NATO members to raise defence spending to five per cent of GDP. 

For Germany, that would mean finding an additional 150 billion euros every year, he said.

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES — Sheriff's deputies on horseback fanned out through charred brush on Friday, hunting for the remains of people who perished when huge wildfires raced through Los Angeles.

At least 27 people are known to have died in the two massive blazes, with dozens still missing.

Ten days after flames erupted, frustration was growing among the tens of thousands who remain in limbo, unable to return even to homes that were spared by the flames, because of unseen dangers like toxic pollution or the risk of landslides.

Nina Madok, who lost her home in the Palisades Fire, told AFP an information meeting for evacuees had been "worthless."

"We need local leaders from the Palisades to answer our questions now."

An emotional Los Angeles Assistant Fire Chief Joe Everett told those present: "It's extremely, extremely hard for me to look you in the eye knowing that, quite honestly, I feel like I failed you in some respect." 

Officials said Thursday it would be at least a week until anyone could go home.

Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass, under pressure over her handling of the disaster, announced the appointment of a chief recovery officer.

Steve Soboroff, a former police commissioner, said he was devising an action plan for the path forward.

"There is an A to Z for each one of us, and A is today," he told a press conference. "We're going to get there step by step."

But with dangerous rubble strewn over a large swath and the final death toll still unknown, the area remained in emergency mode.

Urban search teams using cadaver dogs continued their painstaking trawl through Altadena, where whole blocks of homes were incinerated.

In the countryside above Malibu, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies on horseback were also looking for the dead.

Although they reportedly have no specific information that there was anyone in the wild area, it all has to be searched before it can be reopened to the public.

 Acclaim for firefighters 

Thousands of firefighters continued their efforts to snuff out hotspots over the 40,000 acres that have been burned, an area almost as big as the US capital Washington.

All over Los Angeles, signs have appeared thanking first responders, including one outside the studio where Jimmy Kimmel records his late-night chat show.

Entertainment website TMZ posted a video of diners in Calabasas clapping as uniformed firefighters finished a meal, which the site reported had been paid for by other customers and the restaurant.

The acclaim for first responders stood in contrast to the political bickering, which has seen Republicans across the country line up behind President-elect Donald Trump as he bashes California's Democratic leadership.

Trump has previously threatened to withhold federal aid to the state unless Governor Gavin Newsom bends to his policy demands, and some congressional allies have sought to link cash to the incoming administration's priorities.

Actor Eric Braeden, a mainstay of US daytime soap opera "The Young and the Restless," on Thursday lashed out at the politicization of the issue.

"We contribute more taxes than any other state in America," said the German-born actor, whose Pacific Palisades home was razed in the fires.

"The rest of the country: don't point your finger at California."

US tennis great Pam Shriver appealed Friday for the return of trophies stolen with her car after she evacuated her luxury home.

"Let's do the right thing," she told broadcaster KTLA. "This is not the time to give people even more stress and more worry."

Dozens of people have been arrested in the wake of the disaster, with several charged for looting.

MOSCOW — Russia on Thursday said it hoped a ceasefire in Gaza would lead to "long-term stabilisation" and creates the conditions for a "comprehensive political settlement" between Israel and the Palestinians.

Key mediator Qatar said Wednesday that Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday, along with a hostage and prisoner exchange after more than 15 months of war.

The Kremlin on Thursday said it "welcomed" the deal, though expressed a degree of caution after Israeli accusations that Hamas was backtracking on the fragile agreement.

"Any settlement that leads to a ceasefire, an end to the suffering of the people of Gaza and increases Israel's security can only be welcomed," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"But let's wait for the finalisation of the process," he added.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters earlier on Thursday the deal was an "important practical step towards the long-term stabilisation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation".

She also said she hoped that it could be the basis for "the establishment of a process of comprehensive political settlement of the Palestinian problem".

TERNATE, INDONESIA — Thousands of people declined on Thursday a government-led evacuation in eastern Indonesia where a volcano has been spewing smoke and ash, arguing that they are accustomed to the eruptions.

Mount Ibu, located on the remote island of Halmahera in North Maluku province, erupted on Wednesday, sending a column of smoke up to four kilometres into the sky.

The volcano's alert status was immediately raised to the highest level by Indonesia's Geological Agency, prompting local authorities to call for the evacuation of 3,000 people living in six villages.

"So far, only one village has been evacuated, while people in the remaining five villages have refused to evacuate," said a spokesman for the local disaster management agency, Irfan Idrus.

He added that the residents who chose to stay argued they were used to Mount Ibu's eruptions.

As of Thursday morning, 517 residents from the village closest to the volcano had been evacuated.

According to an AFP reporter, residents went about their daily activities in their respective villages as trucks waited to move them to safe areas.

"We are already accustomed to the eruptions of Mount Ibu, and so far, there has been no impact on our village. That is why we do not want to be evacuated," said 43-year-old resident of Todoke village, Milka Sehe.

Meanwhile, Rista Tuyu in Tuguis village said she hoped the volcano would calm down soon so the community could continue with their lives.

"Of course, there is some fear and concern, but we are already used to the eruptions here," the 32-year-old said.

"In a week, eruptions could happen three to four times, but the biggest ones occurred this week," she said.

Irfan, the disaster management official, said: "We will continue to coordinate with the local officials and community leaders to ensure that the residents of the five villages are evacuated, as they are within the restricted zone".

Mount Ibu, which has shown a significant increase in volcanic activity since last June, continued to erupt multiple times on Thursday, as its peak was covered with thick smoke rising as high as 400 meters above its summit.

In the first weeks of January alone, the volcano, one of Indonesia's most active, erupted at least nine times.

Residents living near Mount Ibu and tourists have been advised to avoid a five to six-kilometre exclusion zone around the volcano's peak and to wear face masks in case of falling ash.

As of 2022, around 700,000 people were living on Halmahera Island, according to official data.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity as it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Last November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores erupted more than a dozen times in one week, killing nine people in its initial explosion.

Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi province erupted more than half a dozen times last year, forcing thousands from nearby islands to evacuate.

NICOSIA — Cyprus on Thursday heralded a move by United States President Joe Biden allowing the strategic Mediterranean country access to military equipment.

Traditionally aligned with Russia, European Union member Cyprus has solidified a more pro-American stance since the election of President Nikos Christodoulides in 2023.

In a memorandum issued by the White House on Wednesday, Biden said "the furnishing of defence articles and defence services to the Republic of Cyprus will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace."

Biden's decision makes Cyprus eligible "to receive defence equipment, supplies, and services" through programmes including Foreign Military Sales and the Excess Defense Articles divestment initiative, Washington's embassy to Nicosia said on its website.

A statement from the Cyprus Presidency on Thursday called the move a "historic milestone in the bilateral relations between Cyprus and the United States" that would "yield tangible benefits at diplomatic and defence levels".

It is also "clear acknowledgement" from Washington that Cyprus is a "key pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean", the Presidency said.

On X, United States Ambassador Julie Davis Fisher said: "President Biden's determination of the ROC's eligibility for government-to-government defence sales marks an important step in deepening the relationship, enhancing security cooperation & promoting stability in the East Med."

In 2022 Washington fully lifted a decades-old arms embargo, conditional on Nicosia continuing to block Russian warships from its ports.

The United States imposed the arms embargo on the whole of Cyprus in 1987 in the hope it could encourage its reunification.

Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the new defence cooperation was the result of Cyprus proving itself a valuable partner during the Middle East crisis.

The two countries cooperated in an initiative to deliver aid to Gaza by sea, as well as on the evacuation of US nationals from the region, he said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when NATO-member Turkey invaded the north in response to a Greek-backed coup. More than 30,000 Turkish troops remain stationed on the island.

Last year, Christodoulides was the first Cypriot president to visit the White House since 1996, and the two sides entered a Strategic Dialogue aimed at enhancing security and other areas.