South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has been indicted on insurrection charges after attempting to declare martial law in December.

Prosecutors described him as the "ringleader of an insurrection."

The indictment marks the first time a sitting South Korean president has been charged with a crime.

"After a comprehensive review of evidence obtained during investigations (prosecutors) concluded that it was only appropriate to indict the defendant," prosecutors said in a statement.

Yoon was impeached shortly after attempting to declare martial law.

He was arrested earlier this month.