Emergency Action: "Presidential Security Service Is a Rebel Force Destroying Constitutional Order"
May Organizations: "A National Disgrace and Undermining Legal Legitimacy"
Governor Kim Youngrok: "Cooperating with the Investigation Is the Minimum Duty"
On the 3rd, officials from the Corruption Investigation Office who attempted to execute an arrest warrant at President Yoon Sukyeol's residence halted the operation and withdrew after a standoff lasting over five hours with the Presidential Security Service. Vehicles carrying the Corruption Investigation Office staff passed by near the residence, alongside a rally held by supporters of President Yoon. Photo by Heo Younghan
May organizations and Gwangju civil society groups strongly condemned the failed attempt to execute an arrest warrant against President Yoon Suk-yeol, calling it an act that threatens the rule of law and democracy.
The three official May 18 organizations (Bereaved Families Association, Meritorious Persons Association, and Injured Persons Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation issued a statement on the 3rd, declaring, "We strongly condemn Yoon Suk-yeol, the ringleader of insurrection, who obstructed law enforcement like a military operation, and the People Power Party who supported him."
The groups stated, "The ringleader of insurrection, whose criminal acts have been clearly revealed, refused the execution of the court's arrest warrant, and the Presidential Security Service and the People Power Party systematically obstructed the process, ultimately halting the execution. Such illegal actions will be recorded as a grave incident that fundamentally destroys the rule of law and democracy in the Republic of Korea."
They emphasized, "The president is the most important public official who must abide by the Constitution and the law, yet he ignored the court's legitimate decision and refused to follow legal procedures. The president and his close aides mobilizing state power to block the execution of an arrest warrant is a national disgrace and a serious act that undermines the legal legitimacy of the state."
The May organizations called for legal accountability for the Presidential Security Service and others who obstructed the law enforcement process of arresting President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The groups demanded: ▲ President Yoon’s immediate voluntary resignation and legal accountability ▲ Responsibility for the Presidential Security Service and the People Power Party for obstructing law enforcement ▲ Stronger and more resolute law enforcement by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) ▲ Strict punishment for public officials who followed illegal orders.
They further stressed, "We will not stand idly by against forces that threaten the rule of law and democracy," adding, "We will fight to the end to create a Republic of Korea where justice stands through action."
Gwangju Emergency Action, a coalition of 175 Gwangju civic groups, also issued a statement that day, saying, "The state authority, which should resolve the constitutional crisis through strict law enforcement, was ridiculed by the Presidential Security Service, the private militia of the ringleader of insurrection." They continued, "It is deeply disappointing that the state authority, which is so resolute toward ordinary citizens, appeared so powerless in the face of the insurrectionist and his private militia."
They added, "The Presidential Security Service has proven itself no longer a public institution. They are merely the private militia of Yoon Suk-yeol, the ringleader of insurrection, and are nothing more than 'rebels' who are ruthlessly trampling on the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea."
They went on to say, "The CIO must immediately arrest the head of the Presidential Security Service and his subordinates who blocked the arrest of the ringleader of insurrection on charges of aiding insurrection and obstructing official duties."
Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam, also posted on his social media that day, stating, "Although I am preoccupied with dealing with the Jeju Air passenger plane accident, I cannot help but express my anger at Yoon Suk-yeol's illegal attempt to neutralize the arrest warrant," and he pointed out, "The remaining followers should stop deceiving the people and immediately cooperate with the execution of the arrest warrant."
He continued, "After cowardly hiding in the official residence and repeatedly refusing to comply with summons for investigation, he sent a letter inciting his supporters to plot a second insurrection on the first day of the new year. Is this something a former president could possibly do?" He questioned, "How much further will you drag down the dignity of the Republic of Korea?"
He added, "Even now, Yoon Suk-yeol, the ringleader of insurrection, should accept the arrest warrant and immediately cooperate with the investigation. That is the least he can do for our people, who are in shock and despair due to the illegal martial law and the tragic passenger plane disaster."
Meanwhile, the CIO attempted to execute the arrest warrant against President Yoon on this day, but was blocked by the Presidential Security Service. During the standoff, which lasted over five hours between more than 100 warrant enforcement personnel from the CIO and police and about 200 from the Security Service, physical altercations occurred, and it is reported that some Security Service personnel were armed with personal firearms.
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