South Korean prosecutors have indicted impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol over orchestrating an insurrection. He was arrested a week ago.

The prosecutors made the announcement around 7 p.m. on Sunday. They said that after thoroughly reviewing related evidence and materials they determined it was appropriate to indict Yoon.

They said they indicted him only over leading an insurrection as sitting presidents have no immunity that protects them from being charged with that.

This is the first time that a president currently in office has been indicted in South Korea.

Yoon declared martial law for a brief period last month. A joint team of investigators arrested him on January 19 on suspicion of orchestrating an insurrection. The team transferred the case to the prosecution on Thursday.

Prosecutors filed a request twice with a court for an extension of Yoon's arrest so they could continue an investigation under the prosecution's authority. But the court turned down both requests.

South Korean media outlets had been reporting that prosecutors held a meeting of top officials from Sunday morning to discuss whether to indict Yoon as the expiry of his detention was drawing close.

Under South Korean law, prosecutors can hold Yoon at a detention facility for up to six months after indicting him.

A criminal trial is expected to be held while the Constitutional Court separately determines the validity of his impeachment.