South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol refused to appear for fresh questioning by investigators Thursday, a day after his dramatic arrest over an ill-fated martial law declaration.

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 Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained after a massive law enforcement operation at the presidential compound that ended a weeks-long stand-off between his bodyguards and the country’s anti-corruption agency.

Yoon’s detention, after a tense standoff outside the presidential residence, marks the latest chapter in a bewildering series of events since his martial law decree.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court convened its first hearing on Tuesday to determine whether suspended President, Yoon Suk Yeol should be permanently removed from office following his controversial declaration of martial law last month.

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol faced renewed questioning on Jan. 16, a day after his dramatic arrest over a failed martial law declaration, but his lawyers said he would not take part.

SEOUL, Jan 22 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- Investigators arrived at the Seoul Detention Centre on Wednesday for a third attempt to forcibly bring in President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his failed martial law bid, Yonhap news agency reported.

South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial next week because of safety concerns, his lawyer said on Sunday.