Kim Seong-hoon, the Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Service, has drawn attention as he refused to appear for police investigations three times amidst the ongoing investigation of security personnel who blocked the execution of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol. With the resignation of former Chief Park Jong-joon, Kim has become the acting chief of the security service.
The police requested Kim to come to the National Investigation Headquarters for questioning on the 11th, but he did not comply. Including this date, Kim has refused police investigations on the 4th and 8th as well, citing his responsibilities as the acting chief as the reason for his noncompliance.
Kim joined the security service in 1996 and was internally promoted in May of the previous year, serving in roles such as Personnel Manager, Cybersecurity Manager, Information and Communication Technology Director, and Planning and Management Director.
While former Chief Park was known as being a moderate or negotiator, Kim is classified as a hardliner. Although Park blocked the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon, he reportedly did not deny the necessity of an investigation into the President. Park is said to have requested mediation between agencies through a phone call to Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok.
In contrast, Kim reportedly led a hardline response in blocking the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon. Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Kun-young claimed that Kim and Security Headquarters Chief Lee Kwang-woo instructed the preparation of police cable ties and live ammunition to obstruct the warrant’s execution.
The opposition party categorizes Kim and Chief Lee as part of the so-called “Kim Yong-hyun and Kim Geon-hee line.” They were reportedly informed before former Chief Park when President Yoon inspected around the official residence on the 8th.