South Korean authorities took impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol into custody following an hours-long standoff. Yoon was detained in connection with his declaration of martial law on December 3. The arrest came early Wednesday morning after a tense standoff at the presidential residence. Investigators were initially prevented from entering the premises by President Yoon’s security staff but were eventually able to force their way in and take the leader into custody.

In a video message released Wednesday morning just after 11 AM, Yoon stated, “I have decided to appear before the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed,” while also emphasizing, “I do not acknowledge the investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.”

The arrest concerns Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3, which was later rescinded by the South Korea’s National Assembly.  The ordeal resulted in Yoon’s impeachment, a warrant for his arrest, and resignations from top security service officials. A previous attempt earlier this month to execute the warrant failed.

Many protestors and supporters of Yoon had camped overnight in the freezing weather to try to block the execution of the warrant. Once President Yoon was taken into custody, the crowds were eventually cleared from the area as he was transported to a government conference center where the corruption investigation office is located.

With this arrest, Yoon becomes the first sitting president in South Korea’s history to face such action.

South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) now has 48 hours to question Yoon. After that timeframe, the CIO must either seek a warrant to detain Yoon for up to 20 days or release him.