SEOUL — South Korean authorities have arrested impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection related to his controversial martial law declaration on December 3. Yoon’s motorcade, surrounded by heavy security, left his fortified residence after a weeks-long standoff and arrived at the anti-corruption agency leading the investigation.

In a statement, Yoon said he submitted to questioning to avoid violence, as over 3,000 police officers attempted to arrest him earlier this week. He condemned the investigation as illegal but chose to comply to prevent bloodshed.

This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that an arrest warrant has been issued against a sitting president. Tensions flared near his residence as pro-Yoon protesters clashed with police.

Yoon’s martial law declaration plunged the country into political chaos, leading to his impeachment on December 14. The Constitutional Court is now deliberating whether to uphold the impeachment and permanently remove him from office.