Security Office, Blocking Execution of Yoon's Arrest Warrant...? Concerns Over Clash at the Presidential Residence

Security Office "Conducting Protection Following Legal Procedures"
Possibility of Maintaining Existing Protection During Arrest Attempts
No Legal Basis... Concerns Over Supporter Clashes

On December 31 last year, when the court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, security officials were installing additional barricades in front of the presidential residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC) is expected to execute an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol soon, drawing attention to how the Presidential Security Service (PSS) will respond. Although the PSS has not yet made a clear statement, many expect that it will maintain presidential security as usual.

On the 2nd, the PSS stated in a press release, "The Presidential Security Service performs security duties in accordance with relevant laws and regulations through proper procedures only." This is consistent with the announcement made on the 31st of last month when President Yoon's arrest warrant was issued, which said, "Security measures will be carried out following proper procedures."

While the PSS cautioned against broad interpretations of "security according to proper procedures," opinions have emerged that the PSS, which exists to ensure the absolute safety of the protected individual, will not simply open the doors of the presidential residence without resistance.

Earlier, the court, when issuing the arrest and search warrants requested by the HCIC, specified that provisions such as Article 110 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which prohibits searches and seizures in places requiring official or military secrecy, do not apply. However, since President Yoon's side is opposing this, it is analyzed that the PSS may find it difficult to take a different stance.

President Yoon's legal team member, lawyer Yoon Gap-geun, urged in a statement, "If the Supreme Court promptly investigates the facts and finds them true, the judge in charge of the warrant should be immediately removed from duty and disciplined."

The PSS also refused when the police attempted to search the presidential office and the State Council meeting room on the 12th and 17th of last month.

However, since the PSS has no legal grounds to refuse the execution of an arrest warrant issued by the court, it is difficult to predict whether it will actually block the HCIC's entry into the presidential residence and the execution of the arrest warrant.

PSS Denies Plans to Sue or File Complaints Against Police Attempting Arrest

The HCIC plans to execute the arrest warrant by the deadline of the 6th, so a clash is inevitable if the PSS blocks it.

On the previous day, HCIC Chief Oh Dong-woon stated, "Locking barricades or iron gates and refusing to comply with the execution of the arrest warrant itself constitutes obstruction of official duties," adding, "We have sent an official letter to the Presidential Security Service to warn them."

The PSS also showed caution, denying some media reports that it was preparing by providing video recording equipment to block the execution of warrants by investigative agencies.

Earlier, some media outlets quoted PSS officials saying, "According to our legal review, illegal execution of warrants and illegal arrests could amount to treason. If the HCIC attempts to execute the arrest warrant, we will not only block it but also file complaints against individual police officers through video evidence."

Regarding this, the PSS explained, "There is no fact that video recording equipment was provided to personnel, nor have we reviewed filing complaints through evidence related to the execution of warrants by investigative agencies."

Yoon Supporters' Encouragement Message... Concerns Over Clashes During Arrest Process

Separately from the PSS, there is also a possibility of physical clashes as supporters of President Yoon may block the execution of the arrest warrant.

Lawyer Yoon Gap-geun stated in a press release that day, "Police accompanying the HCIC in executing the warrant is illegal," and argued, "If the riot police attempt to execute the arrest and search warrants, they could be arrested on the spot by the PSS or citizens for abuse of authority and obstruction of official duties."

The HCIC is also considering executing the warrant late at night or in the early morning to avoid physical clashes, but there are concerns that President Yoon's supporters will gather near the presidential residence even at those times.

In a handwritten signed message sent to supporters the previous day, President Yoon said, "I sincerely thank you all for coming out in such numbers to protect this country's liberal democracy and constitutional order," and added, "I will fight to the end with you to protect this country," effectively issuing a call for full mobilization.