SEOUL, South Korea — On Friday, South Korea’s acting head of state accepted the resignation of Park Jong-joon, the chief of the presidential security service, as he faces police questioning about his role in preventing law enforcement from detaining impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol last week.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is currently fulfilling the role of acting leader, expressed sorrow over the violent confrontations between law enforcement and the presidential security service. He emphasized the necessity for lawmakers to come together to establish a bipartisan initiative for an independent investigation.
Both the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and the police are preparing for another attempt to detain Yoon as they look into whether Yoon’s brief declaration of martial law on December 3 constitutes an act of rebellion. Law enforcement’s prior effort to take Yoon into custody at his official residence was thwarted, leaving him sequestered for weeks.
The implications of Park’s resignation and Choi’s appeal for an independent inquiry into Yoon’s actions on the ongoing custody issues remain uncertain.
Choi commented on the difficulty of reconciling the tensions between the anti-corruption authorities and the presidential security service, acknowledging the legal framework’s limitations in resolving the conflict. He urged both the ruling and opposition factions to collaborate on a legislative measure that would allow for a special prosecutor’s investigation without constitutional conflicts, suggesting that this could help mitigate the ongoing standoff.
The liberal opposition, particularly the Democratic Party, accused Choi of siding with Yoon’s noncompliance with a court-issued warrant under the guise of neutrality, with spokesperson Noh Jong-myun branding it as effectively endorsing rebellion.
In response, the opposition introduced a bill demanding an independent inquiry into the accusations of rebellion surrounding Yoon. An earlier proposal for such an investigation was discarded due to resistance from members of Yoon’s conservative party, particularly concerning a clause limiting special prosecutor nominations to opposition members.
The conservative faction remains unresponsive to the new proposed bill, which suggests that the Supreme Court chief justice nominate two candidates for Yoon to select as special prosecutor. If Yoon declines to appoint either nominee, the older candidate would automatically be assigned to the position.
Park had overlooked two previous summons before complying with questioning on Friday regarding allegations of hindering justice. His actions came shortly after his security forces repelled numerous investigators from Yoon’s residence. Park asserted that his responsibility is to protect the president, warning against potential violence as critics claimed his agency was becoming an extension of Yoon’s authority.
Yoon continues to reside in his official residence in Seoul, which has been fortified by the presidential security service with barriers and vehicles blocking access.
The president’s brief martial law declaration on December 3 saw troops surrounding the National Assembly, a situation that was swiftly overturned by lawmakers who voted to terminate the declaration. Following his impeachment by an opposition-led Assembly on December 14, which accused him of rebellion, Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended, and his future now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which is deliberating his potential removal or reinstatement.
Following the expiration of a previous warrant, a Seoul court issued a new order for Yoon’s detention on Tuesday. However, the specifics regarding the duration of this warrant have not been made public.
In statements to the media prior to his police questioning, Park criticized the detention efforts, stating that any investigation must be conducted in a manner befitting the dignity of the presidency and the nation.
Park also voiced concerns about the potential for conflict between government entities, expressing optimism that violence could be avoided. He mentioned that he had attempted to communicate with Choi in search of alternative resolutions but had received no adequate response.
The anti-corruption agency has also contended Choi failed to instruct the presidential security service to cooperate in enforcing the warrant.
While the law mandates the protection of Yoon, it does not empower the security service to obstruct court-ordered detainments. Some legal analysts argue that last week’s actions by the security service could be deemed illegal.
During a parliamentary session, National Court Administration official Cheon Dae-yeop stated that “resistance without a legitimate reason can constitute a crime, such as obstruction of official duties” in response to inquiries about the presidential security service’s actions.
Though Yoon enjoys extensive immunity from prosecution while in office, this immunity does not apply to charges of treason or rebellion.
In light of the new detention warrant, Yoon’s legal team has questioned its validity, arguing that the anti-corruption agency lacks jurisdiction to pursue rebellion-related investigations or issue detention orders. They maintain that no search or arrest warrants should be executed at his residence without his consent, citing laws protecting premises tied to military secrets.
Yoon’s lawyers have requested that the anti-corruption agency either indict the president or secure a formal arrest warrant through a court hearing, asserting that their client would only abide by a warrant from the Seoul Central District Court. They accuse the agency of deliberately pursuing another court thought to be sympathetic, even as official residences are under the jurisdiction of the Western District Court.
In Seoul, there are apprehensions that the political turmoil stemming from Yoon’s martial law announcement and subsequent impeachment could hinder the country’s diplomatic position, especially with Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House.
On Friday, Yoon’s office confirmed reports of his meeting with Matt Schlapp, the leading figure of the American Conservative Union and an ally of Trump, which took place shortly after his impeachment on December 14, where they discussed South Korea’s political climate.
