South Korea: Chief of Presidential Security Refuses to Arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol
- South Korea’s presidential security chief, Park Chong-jun, said on Sunday that he would not cooperate with an attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing the legal dispute over the arrest warrant.
- It is due to expire on Monday at midnight (local time).
“Please avoid insulting statements that the presidential security service has been reduced to a private army,” Park said, quoted by Reuters, emphasizing that the institution provides protection to all presidents over 60 years old, regardless of political orientation.
The decision comes after a court in Seoul rejected an appeal by Yoon’s lawyers, who argue that the warrant is illegal. President Yoon is accused of insurgency for trying to declare martial law on December 3, which triggered a major political crisis.
Amid massive protests on Sunday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the capital Seoul, some calling for the president’s arrest and others supporting him. Barricades and barbed wire were placed around the official residence, and the police mobilized buses to block access.
“We must restore the foundation of society by punishing the president who violated the constitution,” said Yang Kyung-soo, leader of the Confederation of Korean Trade Unions.
On the other hand, Yoon’s supporters displayed messages such as “We will fight for President Yoon Suk Yeol” and “Stop the Steal.”
Yoon’s lawyers argue that the mandate is unconstitutional because the Corruption Investigation Bureau for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) does not have the legal authority to investigate insurgency cases.
They threatened to report to the IOC for the illegal execution of the mandate.
The political crisis is taking place against the backdrop of the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Seoul, at an extremely tense moment for international relations in East Asia.
Source: www.mediafax.ro
