SEOUL, South Korea — On Friday, the acting leader of South Korea accepted the resignation of Park Jong-joon, the head of the presidential security service, amid ongoing police investigations regarding the blockade of law enforcement’s efforts to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol last week.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok voiced concerns over the altercations between police and the presidential security service. He urged lawmakers to work together in a bipartisan manner to initiate an independent investigation into the matter.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, in collaboration with the police, is preparing a second attempt to detain Yoon as they explore whether his brief declaration of martial law on December 3 constituted an attempt at rebellion. The presidential security service had previously hindered efforts to apprehend Yoon, who has remained inside his official residence for weeks.
It remains uncertain how Park’s resignation and the appeal for an independent investigation will impact the pursuit of Yoon’s detention. Choi commented on the difficulties in resolving the conflicts between the anti-corruption office and the security service, noting the challenges posed by existing legal frameworks.
He emphasized the necessity for both ruling and opposition parties to collaborate in creating legislation for a special prosecutor to investigate the case, eliminating constitutional concerns in the process. Choi argued that this approach could ease the ongoing tensions.
However, members of the opposition Democratic Party criticized Choi, accusing him of endorsing Yoon’s noncompliance with a court-issued warrant under the facade of impartiality. Party lawmaker Noh Jong-myun described this stance as a public endorsement of Yoon as a “leader of a rebellion.”
On Thursday, opposition parties introduced a bill to call for an independent investigation into the rebellion allegations against Yoon. A previous bill that recommended such an investigation was withdrawn after opposition from Yoon’s conservative party, which objected to a clause limiting special prosecutor nominations to opposition recommendations.
The conservatives have also shown reluctance towards the new proposal, which suggests that the chief justice of the Supreme Court recommend two candidates for the role of special prosecutor to Yoon, who would then select one. If he fails to appoint anyone, the older candidate would automatically assume the position as outlined in the bill.
Park had previously ignored two summons but appeared for questioning on Friday concerning allegations of obstructing justice, a week after his security service had blocked multiple anti-corruption and police investigators from Yoon’s residence. He stated his obligation was to protect the president, expressing fears of “bloodshed” amidst criticism that his agency is morphing into Yoon’s private security detail.
The beleaguered president remains inside his secured official residence in Seoul, where access is restricted by barbed wire and barricades. Yoon had briefly initiated martial law on December 3; however, the proclamation was rescinded within hours after lawmakers breached the perimeter and voted to nullify it.
Following his impeachment by an opposition-dominant Assembly on December 14, Yoon’s powers are currently suspended, and the Constitutional Court is deliberating whether to formally remove him from office or dismiss the charges.
Recently, a new warrant was issued by a Seoul court allowing the anti-corruption agency to pursue Yoon’s detention after the previous one-week warrant expired. The time frame for the validity of this new warrant has yet to be disclosed to the public.
Upon arrival for questioning, Park reiterated his disapproval of the detention efforts, asserting that any investigation should be conducted in a manner respectful of an incumbent president’s status and the “dignity of the nation.”
He expressed concern for public sentiment regarding potential conflict between government agencies, emphasizing the importance of preventing any violent confrontations. Park mentioned attempts to communicate with Choi, advocating for alternative approaches, but claimed he received inadequate responses.
The anti-corruption agency has criticized Choi for not directing the presidential security service to cooperate with their warrant execution due to his reluctance. After a 13-hour questioning session, Park chose not to respond to inquiries from journalists about the motives behind his resignation before leaving in a vehicle.
Despite the presidential security act’s mandate to protect Yoon, it does not grant the authority to obstruct court-ordered detentions. Some legal analysts suggest that last week’s actions by the presidential security service could have been unlawful.
In a parliamentary inquiry regarding the efforts to hinder Yoon’s arrest, National Court Administration head Cheon Dae-yeop stated that “resistance without a legitimate reason can be classified as a crime, such as obstructing official duties.”
While the president enjoys extensive legal immunity during his term, this does not shield him from allegations of rebellion or treason.
Yoon’s legal team questions the validity of the new detention warrant issued by the Seoul Western District Court, maintaining that the anti-corruption agency does not possess the legal power to investigate rebellion allegations or authorize police detentions.
They argue that executing arrest and search warrants at Yoon’s residence violates laws that protect locations related to national security from searches without consent from the individual in charge—namely, Yoon himself.
The legal team has urged the anti-corruption agency to either bring formal charges against Yoon or file for a legitimate arrest warrant, necessitating a court hearing. They assert that Yoon would only acknowledge an arrest warrant from the Seoul Central District Court, which typically manages significant requests in high-profile cases.
Allegations have emerged that the agency deliberately approached a different court perceived as favorable for their purposes, despite the fact that Yoon’s official residence lies within the jurisdiction of the Western District Court. There are rising concerns that the political turmoil resulting from Yoon’s martial law declaration and impeachment could hinder the country’s stability in negotiations with the incoming Trump administration.
On Friday, Yoon’s office confirmed reports indicating that he had met with Matt Schlapp, head of the American Conservative Union and an ally of Trump, shortly after his impeachment on December 14 to discuss the prevailing political situation in South Korea.
