The development, which followed a failed arrest attempt earlier in January, deepens the fallout from his short-lived declaration of martial law last month.

South Korea's anti-corruption agency says impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained hours after hundreds of the agency's investigators and police officers arrived at his presidential compound to apprehend him.

More forces are expected to join the operation to take Yoon Suk Yeol in for questioning after the last attempt was foiled by his large security team.