South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been formally arrested, days after being apprehended at his presidential compound in Seoul.

South Korea's anti-corruption agency has recommended prosecuting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for insurrection and power abuse following his brief martial law declaration. The CIO transferred the case to prosecutors as Yoon remains uncooperative.

A court in Seoul has extended the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence linked to his failed attempt to impose martial law last month. The court issued a warrant on Sunday allowing investigators to hold Yoon for an additional 20 days,

South Korean court orders formal arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree.

After lawyers of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol argued that his arrest on January 15 was unlawful, a photo spread in social media posts falsely claiming it showed a search warrant used to illegally detain him rather than an arrest warrant.

Police officers and investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials pass through the entrance to the official residence of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, as authorities are seeking to execute an arrest warrant, in Seoul, South Korea, January 15, 2025.

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested Sunday, just days after being apprehended at his home in Seoul. He faces possible imprisonment for declaring martial law last month.

Yoon, who was impeached and suspended from office in December, is the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.