<기사제목>Chief of Presidential Security Service: "Complying with Yoon's Arrest Warrant Execution Is Both Abandoning Security and Neglecting Duty"

Director Park Jong-jun "I Will Devote Myself to Ensuring the President's Safety"

Park Jong-jun, Chief of Presidential Security Service Photo by Yonhap News

Park Jong-jun, Chief of the Presidential Security Service, stated on the 5th, "Regarding the execution of the arrest warrant conducted amid controversies over procedural shortcuts and illegality in judicial processes, the Presidential Security Service, whose raison d'?tre is to ensure the absolute safety of the President, considers acquiescing to this as abandoning presidential security and dereliction of duty."

In a statement released that day, Chief Park expressed deep regret, saying, "Some media outlets and political circles claim that the Presidential Security Service, by not approving the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Department's entry into the presidential residence on the 3rd to execute the arrest warrant against President Yoon Seok-yeol, has 'degenerated into the President's personal soldiers,' that 'the Chief of Security is a bodyguard,' and that 'the Security Service should be disbanded.'"

Chief Park added, "There are even baseless claims that 'the Chief of Security loaded live rounds and ordered to fire,' which is utterly groundless," and said, "As the person responsible for presidential security, I cannot help but feel devastated and deeply saddened."

He further stated, "The Presidential Security Service does not intend to obstruct law enforcement by investigative agencies recklessly," and explained, "Although the impeachment motion against President Yoon has been passed by the National Assembly, he is the incumbent President elected by the sovereign people and is receiving appropriate security as prescribed by law."

Chief Park noted, "Controversies over the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Department's authority to investigate treason charges continue, and the President's legal team has filed a constitutional complaint and a provisional injunction to suspend the effect of the arrest warrant issuance procedure and the warrant's specified contents due to serious illegality and ultra vires actions," emphasizing, "On the 3rd, I thoroughly explained the Security Service's position to the prosecutors in charge from the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Department who came to execute the arrest warrant and respectfully requested that they exercise caution in law enforcement, considering the status of the incumbent President and the international image of the Republic of Korea."

He also mentioned, "Measures were taken to ensure that no violence or physical confrontation occurred during the standoff between the arrest warrant executing investigators and security personnel," and stated, "If there is any error in judgment, I am willing to bear any judicial responsibility."

Chief Park requested cooperation from the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Department and the National Police Agency, saying, "Please carefully review the investigation procedures to protect the honor of the President chosen by the people and uphold the national dignity of the Republic of Korea," and added, "We must no longer show the public the unfortunate sight of conflicts between state agencies."

He continued, "Since its establishment in 1963, the Presidential Security Service has transcended political factions and ideologies, dedicating its lives to protecting successive Presidents," noting, "During the October 26 Incident in 1979 and the 1983 Aung San terrorist attack, many security personnel sacrificed their lives." He emphasized, "Political ideologies such as conservative or progressive have nothing to do with the Presidential Security Service," and explained, "During the administrations of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, the Security Service performed its duties flawlessly without any negligence. To better protect the late Lee Hee-ho, the Security Service conducted lifelong security rather than police protection based on the Ministry of Government Legislation's authoritative interpretation." He added that the Service is currently devotedly protecting three former Presidents and Mrs. Kwon Yang-sook, regardless of political parties.

Finally, Chief Park stated, "The Presidential Security Service will continue to devote itself without hesitation to ensuring the safety of any President elected by the people, whether a former, current, or future President."