Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, already ​accused of insurrection, faced additional ​criminal charges after a special counsel expanded the investigation into his ill-fated declaration of martial law.

SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean court early Thursday approved the new arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges related to his brief imposition of martial law in December, accepting a special prosecutor’s claim that he poses a risk of destroying evidence.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was rearrested on Wednesday on insurrection charges. Yoon attempted to impose martial law on the country in December. If found guilty, Yoon could face lifetime imprisonment or execution.