On January 5th, Park Jong-jun, the Chief of the Presidential Security Service, emphasized his commitment to ensuring the safety of President Yoon Suk-yeol. He requested cooperation from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters to aid in this effort.
The debate surrounds the legality of the arrest warrant issued for President Yoon. The Security Service has stated that it cannot comply with the enforcement of this warrant. The Presidential Office also remarked that President Yoon remains the primary protection target of the Security Service.
Park stated his commitment to prioritizing the safety of any past, present, and future presidents elected by the people. He raised concerns about the legality and procedural validity of the arrest warrant and stressed that complying with such an enforcement would constitute a neglect of duty. He expressed readiness to bear any legal repercussions if their stance is deemed mistaken.
Park also referenced the ongoing controversies over the CIO’s involvement in sedition investigations and the president’s legal team’s constitutional challenges against the arrest warrant. He recounted discussions with a CIO prosecutor about the implications of enforcing the warrant and urged careful consideration given the president’s status and South Korea’s international image. He ensured that there would be no violent or physical clashes during enforcement attempts.
Additionally, Park appealed to the CIO and the National Investigation Headquarters to meticulously review the procedures to uphold the honor of the president and the dignity of the nation, reminding them to avoid presenting unfortunate conflicts between state institutions to the public.
The Presidential Office, although previously claiming no direct control over the Security Service, supported its position. Presidential Chief of Staff Jung Jin-suk reiterated that President Yoon is still the primary focus of the Security Service’s protection efforts.
A high-ranking official from the Presidential Office also highlighted concerns regarding the withdrawal of security personnel from the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul. They stressed that unauthorized removal of security staff could lead to other issues and insisted on accountability for this action.