UN Secretary-General Expresses Faith in South Korea's Democratic Strength Amid Political Challenges
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Seoul, Jan 10 (NationPress) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Friday that he has total confidence in the democratic resilience of South Korea, according to the Seoul government.
During a telephone conversation with acting President Choi Sang-mok, Guterres made these remarks, as reported by the finance ministry, amidst the political uncertainty resulting from President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law and his subsequent impeachment last month.
The ministry quoted Guterres asserting that he has full faith in South Korea's strong democratic system and its capacity to rebound from crises.
The UN Chief also voiced his expectations for South Korea's ongoing contribution to rejuvenating UN-centered multilateralism.
In reply, Choi highlighted that South Korea will persist in fostering global peace and prosperity through proactive participation as a member of the United Nations and a rotating member of its Security Council, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
Choi took on the interim leadership role after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, followed by acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo two weeks later.
Earlier that day, the head of South Korea's Presidential Security Service (PSS) indicated that no clashes or violence should occur when investigators attempt to detain the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol regarding his failed martial law attempt.
Park Chong-jun, chief of the PSS, made these comments while appearing before police for questioning over allegations that he ordered presidential security officials to obstruct the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), supported by police, from executing a warrant to detain Yoon.
"I believe many individuals must be profoundly concerned about the current situation, regarding whether government agencies are clashing and confronting each other," Park stated. "There should be no physical confrontations or bloodshed under any circumstances."
Park addressed public unease over the conflict between investigators and Yoon's presidential security service.
"I think the investigation ought to proceed in a manner that befits the status of a sitting president," Park remarked as he entered the Joint Investigation Headquarters in western Seoul.
Yoon has declined to cooperate with the CIO's summonses for questioning or warrant execution, as the agency is not technically authorized to investigate the insurrection charges he faces over his brief imposition of martial law on December 3.
