South Korea’s acting president Choi Sang Mok on Friday accepted the resignation of the head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS).
The PSS head, Park Jong Joon, submitted his resignation shortly before appearing for questioning in response to a third summons investigation obstruction of official duties. Park had ignored two prior summonses from investigators, which were issued in response to PSS efforts to impede an arrest warrant for former president Yoon Suk Yeol.
A South Korean district court has previously upheld the legality of the arrest warrant against Yoon. It authorized an independent agency, the Corruption Investigation Office for High Ranking Officials (CIO), to detain Yoon for 48 hours for questioning and search his residence. They attempted to execute the warrant on January 3 but the Presidential Security Service’s blockade prevented them from doing so. The warrant expired on January 6.
A second arrest warrant for Yoon has since been issued. A much larger police presence is reportedly planned. Local media reported Yoon to be at his compound with his security service.
Whilw appearing for the third summon, Park opined that the current manner of executing the arrest warrant is appropriate, citing citizens’ concerns about the standoff and clashes between government agencies. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and avoiding physical confrontation.
In his statement made to local media last Sunday, Park also defended the PSS’s refusal to cooperate with the arrest warrant, stating that the fundamental objective of the PSS is to ensure the president’s absolute security. He added that operating based on an arrest warrant, the legality of which is controversial, would contradict the PSS’s duty. He concluded his remarks by stating his willingness to bear judicial responsibilities for any errors in his judgment.
The Presidential Security Service is a state agency that reports directly to the president, dedicated to protecting the holder of that office. Formed during the authoritarian regime of President Park Chung-Hee, the agency is described as “a loyal group that lives and dies under orders.”
On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. In less than two weeks, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion and suspended Yoon from his presidential duty. Since Article 65 of the Constitution of South Korea provides that impeachment is not complete until the Constitutional Court of Korea adjudicates the matter within 180 days, Yoon remains president of the country until the court approves the impeachment motion.
