Seoul, Jan 4 (NationPress) South Korean law enforcement officials on Saturday reiterated their request for two senior members of the Presidential Security Office to participate in questioning concerning their alleged obstruction of official duties. This pertains to the state anti-corruption agency's efforts to detain suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Park Chong-jun, the head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), and Deputy Kim Seong-hoon have been implicated for obstructing special official duties, as PSS personnel, along with military forces, prevented the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) from executing a warrant to detain Yoon on Friday, linked to his brief declaration of martial law on December 3.
After a standoff lasting approximately six hours at the presidential residence in Seoul, the CIO abandoned its attempt to detain Yoon.
The joint investigative team requested that the two officials appear for questioning on Saturday; however, they declined, asserting that they cannot vacate their positions “even for a moment” due to the serious nature of their responsibilities in ensuring Yoon's security.
In light of this, the investigation team sent another request for Park to appear for questioning on Tuesday and for Kim on Wednesday.
The CIO is anticipated to make another attempt to detain Yoon as soon as Sunday, as they have until Monday to act on the detention warrant concerning allegations of insurrection and abuse of power, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The agency once more urged acting President Choi Sang-mok to direct the presidential security team to comply with the execution of the detention warrant.
The six opposition parties, spearheaded by the Democratic Party, have called for punitive action against Park for his involvement in Friday's standoff.
During a joint press conference at the National Assembly, the leaders of the six parties stated that Park should be immediately dismissed from his role and arrested on charges of obstruction of official duties, concealment of an offender, and abuse of power.
The parties also accused Park and the PSS of being complicit in insurrection. They asserted that acting President Choi Sang-mok bears responsibility for the standoff and must ensure the PSS cooperates with the CIO.
The opposition parties urged the CIO to act swiftly to execute the arrest warrant, emphasizing, “There must never be another retreat.”
