ISTANBUL

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was formally arrested early Sunday on charges of insurrection, becoming the first sitting president in the nation’s history to face detention while in office, local media reported.

The Seoul Western District Court approved an arrest warrant, citing sufficient proof for the charges and the risk of evidence tampering, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

Yoon is accused of declaring martial law on Dec. 3 and allegedly deploying troops to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from overturning the decree.

After his formal arrest, Yoon may be indicted for insurrection and abuse of power charges.

Yoon, who can be held for up to 20 days, denied wrongdoing during a court hearing Saturday, asserting his actions were “necessary to preserve national stability.”

Critics, however, condemned the short-lived martial law as a desperate power grab amid protests over alleged corruption and mismanagement.

The Constitutional Court is still deliberating whether to uphold Yoon's impeachment, approved by the opposition-dominated National Assembly on Dec. 14. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Right after the announcement, Yoon supporters occupied the Western District Court, snatching police shields and assaulting them, the agency added.

Police were deployed to the court in large numbers to put down Yoon supporters who barged in, breaking glass windows and entering the building.

"President Yoon Suk Yeol!, President Yoon!," they shouted. Yet, citizens in support of the detention rejoiced when Yoon's warrant was granted.