South Korea: Police Request Another Questioning of Suspended President Yoon's Security Chief
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Seoul, Jan 5 (NationPress) South Korea's police have made another appeal for the questioning of two senior officials from the presidential security office concerning their suspected hindrance of official duties. This relates 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), along with Deputy Kim Seong-hoon, have been implicated in obstructing special official duties. Reports indicate that PSS personnel, in conjunction with military members, prevented the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) from executing a warrant to detain Yoon on Friday, following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3, as noted by the Yonhap news agency.
After a standoff lasting approximately six hours at the presidential residence in Seoul, the CIO ultimately ceased its efforts to apprehend Yoon.
The joint investigation team had previously requested that the two officials cooperate on Saturday, but they declined, asserting they could not abandon their roles even momentarily due to the critical nature of ensuring Yoon's security.
In reaction to their refusal, the investigation team issued a new 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 execute the warrant related to charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
The agency has reiterated its call for acting President Choi Sang-mok to direct the presidential security team to facilitate the execution of the detention warrant.
Six opposition parties, spearheaded by the Democratic Party, are demanding that Park face repercussions for his involvement in Friday's standoff.
During a joint press conference held at the National Assembly, the leaders of these parties stated that Park should be immediately dismissed from his role and arrested on charges including obstruction of official duties, concealment of an offender, and abuse of power.
The parties further accused Park and the remaining members of the PSS of being complicit in insurrection.
They also asserted that acting President Choi Sang-mok bears responsibility for the standoff and must ensure the PSS cooperates with the CIO.
The opposition has urged the CIO to act swiftly to enforce the arrest warrant, declaring, “There must never be another retreat.”
