Yoon’s arrest could mark the beginning of a prolonged period in custody, lasting months or longer, as he faces the possibility of imprisonment on potential rebellion charges linked to his imposition of martial law on Dec.

The impeached South Korean president's second attempt to avoid arrest failed as a huge number of police officers detained him at his residence.

Yoon’s detention comes after a stand-off between South Korean investigators and his presidential bodyguards, who blocked earlier efforts to detain him.