South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol was impeached He was formally arrested early Sunday, days after being arrested at the presidential palace in Seoul, where he faces possible jail time over the ill-fated declaration of martial law last month.

Yin's arrest could mark the beginning of his long-term detention, lasting several months or more.

After an hour-long deliberation, the Seoul Western District Court approved law enforcement's request for an arrest warrant against Yoon, saying he threatened to destroy evidence. Yin and his lawyers appeared before a court judge at a hearing on Saturday and argued for his release.

Yoon, who has been detained since being arrested Wednesday during a massive law enforcement operation in his residential complex, may face rebellion charges related to his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, which triggered the country's most severe form of martial law. Since democratization in the late 1980s, serious political crises have occurred.

The Office for the Investigation of Senior Officials' Corruption, which is investigating jointly with the police and military, can now extend his detention to 20 days, during which time they will hand the case over to prosecutors for prosecution.

Yin's lawyers can also file a petition challenging the court's arrest warrant.

Yoon's appearance at the Western District Court in Seoul sparked chaotic scenes in nearby streets as thousands of his fervent supporters rallied for hours demanding his release. They clashed with police, who detained about 40 protesters, about 20 of whom climbed the fence to try to approach the court. At least two vehicles carrying anti-corruption investigators were damaged as they left court after defending Yin's arrest.

Yin's lawyer said he spoke with the judge for about 40 minutes during the nearly five-hour closed-door hearing. His legal team and anti-corruption agencies have made counterarguments over whether he should be detained. Lawyers did not agree with his specific comments.

The judge is expected to make a decision late Saturday or early Sunday. On Saturday night, Yin's motorcade was seen leaving the courthouse and heading to a detention center where Yin will await the verdict.

Yoon was transported to court from the nearby Uiwang Detention Center. Seoul, in a blue Justice Department van, escorted by police and presidential security services.

Despite a heavy police presence, thousands of Yin's supporters gathered in nearby streets and the motorcade entered the courthouse's basement parking lot. Some protesters broke through police lines and banged on the windows of his van as it approached the courthouse. Yin did not speak to reporters.

The anti-corruption body asked media companies to cover the faces of members attending the hearing after investigators were attacked by protesters.

It wasn't clear until Saturday morning whether Yin would choose to attend the hearing.

Yoon Kab-keun, one of the president's lawyers, said defense lawyers met with Yoon at a detention center and Yoon accepted the legal team's advice to appear in person before a judge. The lawyer said the president would argue that his decree was a legitimate exercise of power and that the rebellion charge would not hold up before the criminal court or the Constitutional Court, which is reviewing whether to formally remove him or reinstate him.

Nine people, including Yun's defense minister, police chief and several senior military commanders, have been arrested and charged for their roles in enforcing martial law.

The crisis started with Yin tried to break the legislative deadlock and impose military rule and sending troops to Congress and election offices. The deadlock lasted only a few hours after lawmakers who had managed to break the blockade voted to lift the measure. The opposition-dominated parliament voted to impeach him on December 14.

If Yin is formally arrested, it could mark the beginning of his long-term detention, lasting several months or more.

If prosecutors charge Yoon with rebellion and abuse of power, charges that investigators are reviewing, they could detain him for up to six months before trial.

Under South Korean law, planning a rebellion is punishable by life imprisonment or death.

Yin's lawyers argued that there was no need to detain him during the investigation, saying he posed no threat to flee or destroy evidence.