After Yoon Suk Yeol became the first sitting South Korean leader to be detained, on charges of insurrection over his failed martial law bid, right-wing groups repeatedly shared a manipulated image they claimed showed US President Donald Trump watching news about Yoon's arrest.

Suspended South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained for briefly imposing martial law in December. The former prosecutor could face life in jail or even the death penalty if found guilty.

President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and taken for questioning after more than 3,000 police officers marched on his residence in the early hours of Wednesday.

The embattled South Korean president is expected to put up a fight in what he has called an "illegal" investigation over charges he tried to lead an insurrection.

Choi, who has been serving as acting president since late December, said he would seek to have a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump at the earliest time possible, hours a

South Korea’s government expressed concern about the “significant” impact on its economy likely to stem from US policy changes under Donald Trump and will seek talks with the US president to discuss cooperation as soon as possible.

South Korea pledged on Monday a record amount of financing support for exporters to mitigate any negative impact from changes in U.S. trade policies as Donald Trump was poised to be sworn in for his second presidency.