Head of the Corruption Investigation Office: "Yoon Feels Psychological and Physical Threat of Arrest"

National Assembly Judiciary Committee Response... "Vehicle Entry Not Proceeding as Planned"

Odongwoon, the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office, explained on the 3rd that the reason for halting the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol after five and a half hours was due to "the vehicle not being able to enter, resulting in a harsh situation where the original plan could not proceed," and stated that he felt psychological and physical threats due to being blocked by physical force during the entry process.

On the 7th, at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Odongwoon responded to a question from Kim Gipyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asking "How did you receive reports about the situation on site from the investigation team during the execution of the arrest warrant?" by saying, "We were obstructed by a scrum at every step forward." The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office attempted to execute the arrest warrant issued on the 3rd against President Yoon on charges of being the ringleader of a rebellion, but withdrew after being blocked by the Presidential Security Service.

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

Odongwoon said, "We had prepared a considerable number of vehicles, including one equipped with a restroom, but since things did not go according to plan, our retreat route was blocked," adding, "That was the biggest concern." He explained that the decision to halt the execution was a "decision by the leadership," and added, "We withdrew somewhat earlier than originally planned." He also said, "We received reports that physical clashes were expected and that unfortunate incidents could occur in such situations," and "Since we were outnumbered, there was a risk of being overwhelmed if physical force was used," according to the reports he received.

In response to Park Eun-jung, a member of the Innovation Party, asking "What was the reason for withdrawing after five and a half hours?" he said, "The execution of the arrest warrant was thwarted due to the organized resistance of the Security Service," and added, "From the footage, there were vehicles similar to armored cars, and it was a difficult situation to forcibly proceed with the execution when the retreat route was blocked."

When asked about concerns regarding the Security Service's use of firearms, he replied, "In any case, we felt various psychological and physical threats, and we judged that if a physical clash occurred, it could cause a significant shift in the narrative, which would negatively affect our investigation, so we could not proceed further with the execution."

Regarding the question, "Why did you prevent the police from arresting Park Jong-jun, the head of the Security Service, in flagrante delicto?" he denied any misunderstanding. Odongwoon said, "Not everyone on site agreed, but it was a judgment to prevent side effects caused by clashes," and added, "It was not a situation where one side was blocking and the other was trying to proceed."

Regarding the second attempt to execute the arrest warrant if it is extended, he said, "I believe that a situation like this, where entry and retreat routes are blocked, must never happen again," and "We will prepare thoroughly and succeed."