A flight from Hawaii to Japan was forced to turn around after flight attendants became embroiled in a row with a passenger - over yoga.

Hyongtae Pae was heading home to South Korea after a holiday to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary when he went to the back of the plane to do yoga and meditate.

Authorities say he refused to return to his seat, threatened crew members and shoved his own wife. He also tried to bite and head-butt two US military members who were passengers on the flight trying to restrain him.

He pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew - acknowledging he "caused others to become fearful" - and, as part of a plea deal, is expected to be sentenced to time served, which was about 12 days, and to pay about 43,000 US dollars  in restitution to United Airlines.

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