A South Korean court granted on Sunday an extension of President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention, saying there was "concern" that Yoon could "destroy evidence" in a criminal probe related to his short-lived declaration of martial law in early December.

South Korea's impeached president has argued for his release before a Seoul judge as the court reviewed whether to grant a law enforcement request for his formal arrest.

Lawyers for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed in their court effort to secure his release on Thursday, a day after he was detained at his residence for questioning over rebellion allegations linked to his martial law declaration last month.