President Yoon Suk Yeol apologizes for the imposition of martial law, at the presidential office in Seoul, Dec. 7. A Seoul court issued a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning, Tuesday, over his decision to impose martial law on Dec. 3. Newsis

A Seoul court issued a warrant, Tuesday, to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his decision to impose martial law on Dec. 3.

According to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), the warrant was approved by the Seoul Western District Court on charges of leading an insurrection and abusing power regarding the decree that was later lifted by the National Assembly.

This is the first warrant issued to detain a sitting president in the nation's history.

Speaking to reporters, a CIO investigator said the anti-corruption agency will execute the warrant by Jan. 6, adding that the methods for implementation will be discussed with the police.

"President Yoon will be questioned at the CIO office or at a police station near his location," the official said. "After questioning, he could be detained at the Seoul Detention Center, but nothing has been determined yet."

With that warrant, investigators can detain Yoon for questioning for up to 48 hours. If they want to arrest him, they have to ask the court to issue an arrest warrant.

The CIO requested the detention warrant after Yoon ignored all three summons to appear for interrogation over allegations that he committed treason and abused power by declaring martial law illegally and unconstitutionally.

The court also approved a warrant to search his residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, in connection with the investigation.

However, his attorney, Yoon Gap-geun, rejected the court's decision, saying his legal team will file an injunction with the Constitutional Court to challenge its validity.

"It's shocking that the warrant requested by an organization that doesn't have investigative power over insurrection-related allegations has been issued. It's utterly unacceptable," the lawyer said, calling the warrant "illegal and invalid."

His lawyers have argued that the CIO has no legal basis required to investigate insurrection, a charge for which, by law, only the police can investigate. But the CIO said the law permits it to investigate allegations of abuse of power and other directly-related crimes perceived during its investigations.

But it remains to be seen whether the investigators can detain him. In previous attempts, the Presidential Security Service blocked them from entering his office and residence, citing national security concerns.

Shortly after the court approved the warrant, the security agency said it will continue to commit to its task of protecting the president in accordance with due process.

Although Yoon has presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, the privilege does not extend to accusations of insurrection or treason. If the presidential bodyguards block investigators from enforcing the warrant physically, the CIO warned they could be prosecuted for obstruction of justice.

Rep. Kwon Young-se, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, called the attempt to detain the president "inappropriate" and "deeply regretful" in remarks defending him. He argued that it was unnecessary, as there is no flight risk.