Seoul: Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol announced Wednesday his decision to appear before an anti-corruption agency for questioning to avert potential bloodshed, while contesting the legality of the agency's investigation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon made the statement before heading to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) headquarters in Gwacheon, located south of Seoul. The CIO and police were executing a warrant to detain the beleaguered president due to his brief imposition of martial law.

In a video message recorded at his residence in Yongsan, central Seoul, Yoon stated, "To prevent an unfortunate and violent incident, I decided to appear before the CIO even though I believe the investigation is illegal."

Investigators detained Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection, making him the first sitting president to be arrested in such circumstances.