'Political Non-Intervention' Choi Sang-mok... Yoon Preparing 'Brinkmanship Tactics'

Choi Emphasizes Livelihood and Economy, Advocates 'Political Distancing'
Yoon Weighs Timing of Attendance at Constitutional Court Hearing Date

Choe Sang-mok, Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Economy and Finance, is speaking at the high-level ruling party-government meeting for emergency economic stabilization held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Tensions are rising between the Joint Investigation Headquarters (Joint Headquarters) and the Presidential Security Service following the reissuance of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol. Choi Sang-mok, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, who holds the highest responsibility in state affairs, continues to maintain a policy of 'non-intervention.' His intention is to distance himself from politics and focus on economic recovery, but analysts suggest that if clashes intensify during the execution of the arrest warrant, Acting Prime Minister Choi will find it difficult to avoid accountability.

On the morning of the 8th, at a 'High-level Party-Government Meeting for Emergency Economic Stabilization' held at the National Assembly, Acting Prime Minister Choi stated, "The conditions surrounding our economy are severe," but refrained from commenting on sensitive political issues such as the arrest warrant.

The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, argue that Acting Prime Minister Choi, as the appointing authority, should command the Security Service to prevent physical clashes between the police and the Security Service. However, Choi has only expressed a general stance, saying, "We must be especially careful to prevent harm to citizens and public officials during law enforcement," and remains silent.

Outwardly, he cites Article 3 of the Public Officials Crime Investigation Act, which prevents the president's involvement in the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI), but this is interpreted as an intention to avoid political controversy. A government official said, "It is a situation where Acting Prime Minister Choi finds it difficult to issue a message."

However, there is concern that if physical clashes occur, political and economic uncertainties will inevitably increase. While the Security Service has fortified the Hannam-dong presidential residence with barbed wire and buses, the police are considering deploying elite police special forces. On the previous day at the National Assembly, Odong-woon, the head of HOCI, stated, "Anyone in a position of appointing authority has the duty to prevent such incidents from occurring."

Protesters in front of the residence in Hannam-dong

Amid heightened tensions around the Hannam-dong residence, attention is also focused on President Yoon's future actions. Since the first attempt to execute the warrant was blocked by the Security Service and ended in failure, HOCI is determined to launch an 'all-out effort' during the second execution to secure custody without fail.

President Yoon is likely to continue strong resistance, viewing the arrest warrant as illegal and invalid. Inside and outside political circles, there is speculation that President Yoon may employ a 'brinkmanship tactic' by rallying his support base to the fullest and directly expressing his position just before the execution of the detention warrant. It is anticipated that he will voluntarily appear and present his views at the Constitutional Court's first hearing scheduled for the 14th.

A presidential office official said, "The opposition even mentions the possibility of President Yoon fleeing, but that is nonsense," adding, "We understand that President Yoon will appear at the appropriate time and thoroughly convey his opinions."

However, some reports suggest that since there is a possibility of arrest upon his appearance at the Constitutional Court, President Yoon's side is deliberating carefully over whether he should attend the hearing.