In a significant development amid South Korea’s political turmoil, Park Jong-joon, the chief of the presidential security service, appeared before police on Friday for questioning. Park is facing charges of obstructing the execution of a warrant to arrest President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Arriving at the National Office of Investigation (NOI) at around 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT), Park addressed reporters, emphasizing the need to prevent any physical conflict or bloodshed. “People are worried about confrontations between government agencies,” he stated, urging for a peaceful resolution.
Park argued that investigations should consider President Yoon’s current status, suggesting that the execution of the arrest warrant was inappropriate. “The arrest warrant execution was not proper,” he noted, highlighting concerns over the legal processes being undertaken.
Charged with obstructing the execution of special public affairs, Park had previously refused to appear for questioning on January 4 and 7, prompting the police to issue a third summons earlier this week.
On January 3, investigators attempted to arrest President Yoon at the presidential residence, but were prevented by the security service under Park’s command. This intervention has led to heightened tensions between government agencies and raised questions about the separation of powers.
A Seoul court extended the validity of the arrest warrant for President Yoon by issuing a second warrant on Tuesday, following the failed attempt to detain him. The new warrant reportedly has a longer validity term than the initial one, which was valid for a week.
President Yoon’s impeachment motion was passed in the National Assembly on December 14 last year and submitted to the constitutional court for deliberation, a process that can last up to 180 days. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
The president has been identified by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on charges of insurrection. Notably, Yoon declared martial law on the night of December 3, a move that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly hours later.
As the nation watches these unprecedented events unfold, there is growing concern about the potential impact on South Korea’s political stability and international relations. The legal proceedings against President Yoon and the involvement of the presidential security service underscore the complex challenges facing the country’s democratic institutions.
The coming days are expected to bring further developments as the investigation continues and the constitutional court deliberates on the impeachment. Observers both domestically and internationally are closely monitoring the situation for its implications on South Korea’s governance and the rule of law.
