The plane crash is the first major test for South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, who had been appointed the interim leader only on Friday, as the country grapples with a political crisis at the highest levels.

South Korea's opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo, further deepening the country's political crisis.

SEOUL - South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol refused a summons to appear for questioning on Dec 29, the third time he has defied investigators’ demands in two weeks. Investigators probing Mr Yoon had ordered him to appear for questioning at 10am local time (9am Singapore time), a demand he rejected.