Kim Sung-hoon, the Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Service, has returned to his security duties for President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is currently detained at the Seoul Detention Center. Kim had been released after the prosecution rejected a detention warrant that the police requested, alleging Kim obstructed the execution of an arrest warrant against President Yoon.
According to reports, Kim stated near the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, “The President is here, so I came to perform security duties.” Kim, serving as the acting security chief, indicated that he would likely stay at the detention center 24/7 to ensure security operations.
Kim mentioned there is no substantial change in security operations before and after President Yoon’s detention, but security measures would vary based on the threat level, and special measures would be taken for the detention center due to its vulnerable areas.
When asked about the rejection of his detention warrant, Kim commented, “I believe it was a sensible decision based on the duties I performed.”
Previously, Kim was arrested after failing to comply with three police summonses but he clarified, “I did not ignore the summons intentionally; it was a critical time, and duty was the priority. I expressed my willingness to comply with future summon requests.”
On January 15, President Yoon had been detained by the High-ranking Officials Criminal Investigation Department and later held at Seoul Detention Center after a court issued an arrest warrant on January 19. Though not yet convicted or undergoing impeachment proceedings, President Yoon continues to receive presidential security.
Given the detention period’s maximum of 20 days, the Presidential Security Service is in discussions with the Ministry of Justice’s Correctional Bureau to maintain security for President Yoon during this time. Measures such as escorting the Ministry’s transport vehicles with security service cars when the President is transported, similar to his appearance at Seoul Western District Court for a pre-arrest interrogation on January 18, are under consideration. Meanwhile, Kim and a part of the security team remain stationed at the Seoul Detention Center for ongoing coordination.
Separately, the police’s Special Investigation Unit on Martial Law intends to question Kim Shin, the head of the Presidential Security Service’s Family Division, regarding obstruction charges on January 20, requiring his appearance for investigation by 10 a.m.