The ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol was officially arrested on Sunday after the court issued a warrant for his long-term detention in connection with the failed imposition of martial law last month, reports the South Korean agency Yonhap.
This is the first such detention of a sitting South Korean president in the country's modern history.
The judge of the Seoul Western District Court issued the arrest warrant, believing that Yoon might destroy evidence related to the case.
With the issuance of the warrant, investigators can hold Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the days he has already spent in the detention center after being apprehended at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) plans to transfer Yoon to the prosecution in 10 days.
The prosecution is expected to conduct further investigation and file charges against him before the 20-day period expires.
Yoon's presidential powers were suspended after the legislative assembly, dominated by the opposition, voted for his impeachment on December 14. The Constitutional Court is considering whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office.
Photo: Yonhap