The chief of South Korea’s presidential security service, Park Jong-joon, appeared before police on Friday for questioning over charges of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Park arrived at the National Office of Investigation (NOI) at around 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT), responding to the third summons after previously declining to appear on January 4 and 7.
Speaking to reporters before entering the building, Park emphasized the need to avoid physical conflict and bloodshed, expressing concern over confrontations between government agencies. “Investigations should be carried out considering President Yoon’s current status,” he stated, arguing that the execution of the arrest warrant was inappropriate.
The charges against Park stem from his alleged obstruction of special public affairs. Investigators had attempted to arrest President Yoon at the presidential residence on January 3, but were thwarted by the presidential security service.
On Tuesday, a Seoul court extended the validity of the arrest warrant by issuing a second warrant against the impeached president. The new warrant is reported to have a longer validity term than the first, which was valid for one week.
The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon on December 14 last year, forwarding it to the constitutional court for deliberation, a process that can take up to 180 days. During this period, President Yoon’s powers are suspended.
President Yoon has been identified by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on charges of insurrection. Notably, he declared martial law on the night of December 3, a move which was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly within hours.
