Seoul—Park Jong-joon, the chief of South Korea’s presidential security service, appeared before police on Friday to face questioning over charges of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol. The high-profile investigation has intensified tensions amid a political crisis that has gripped the nation.
Arriving at the National Office of Investigation (NOI) at around 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT), Park addressed a throng of reporters. “There should be neither physical conflict nor bloodshed in any case,” he stated, emphasizing the public’s concern over escalating confrontations between government agencies. “Investigations should be carried out considering the president’s current status,” he added, asserting that the attempted arrest of Yoon was “not proper.”
Park faces charges of obstructing the execution of special public affairs after allegedly blocking investigators from arresting President Yoon at the presidential residence on January 3. The police had issued multiple summonses for Park’s appearance, which he had previously declined on January 4 and 7.
The attempted arrest of President Yoon marked a dramatic escalation in the political turmoil following his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14 of last year. Yoon’s presidential powers have been suspended pending a constitutional court’s deliberation, which could take up to 180 days.
Investigators have named Yoon as a suspected ringleader on charges of insurrection, following his declaration of martial law on the night of December 3—a move that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly hours later. Efforts to arrest Yoon were initially thwarted when presidential security personnel intervened during a raid on the presidential residence.
This week, a Seoul court extended the validity of the arrest warrant by issuing a second warrant against the impeached president, potentially lengthening the period authorities can attempt to detain him.
The unfolding events have cast a spotlight on the deepening divisions within South Korea’s political landscape. The public watches closely as the constitutional court’s decision looms, and as figures like Park Jong-joon become central to a saga that could redefine the nation’s governance.
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S. Korea's presidential security chief appears for questioning
cgtn.com
