Odongwoon "Yoon's Arrest Failed, Apologize to the People... The Second Time Will Be the Last"

"Unexpected Issues Occurred... Taking Full Responsibility"

Oh Dong-woon, the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI), apologized to the public for failing to execute the arrest warrant against President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of being a ringleader of rebellion.

Odongun, Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit, is wearing a stern expression at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the 7th, during a current affairs inquiry at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Legislation Committee) held in Yeouido, Seoul, Director Oh stated, "As the head of HOCI, I attempted to execute the arrest warrant against President Yoon, but the Presidential Security Service used security as a pretext to obstruct the execution of the warrant," adding, "I apologize to the public for this." He continued, "The failure to properly execute an arrest warrant lawfully issued by the judiciary showed a violation of the rule of law," and said, "As the head of HOCI, I feel deeply pained and apologize to the people."

Jeong Cheong-rae, the chairperson of the Legislation Committee, urged again for an apology regarding HOCI's inadequate preparation for executing the arrest warrant despite Director Oh's apology. Director Oh responded, "Many unforeseen issues arose, and as a result, we failed to arrest President Yoon; I fully acknowledge the responsibility," and promised, "We will thoroughly prepare to ensure no setbacks in executing the second arrest warrant and will do our best."

Furthermore, Director Oh emphasized, "We will prepare for the second execution of the arrest warrant with the extraordinary resolve that it will be the final execution," and stressed, "The joint investigation headquarters (Joint HQ) will do its utmost to achieve the objective of the second execution."

HOCI announced that it re-requested the warrant at the Seoul Western District Court the previous day to extend the validity period of the arrest warrant against President Yoon. On the 31st of last month, HOCI obtained an arrest warrant against President Yoon from the Seoul Western District Court, valid until 12 a.m. on that day. On the 3rd, HOCI, together with the police, attempted to arrest President Yoon but failed due to obstruction by the Presidential Security Service.