Signs of Cracks in the Security Office... Countdown to 'Execution of Arrest Warrant for President Yoon' [AK Radio]

Joint Investigation Headquarters Likely to Execute Midweek
Diverging Positions Within Security Service on Response
Considering Lawsuits for Damages if Obstructed

As signs of cracks emerge within the Presidential Security Service, the execution of the second arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol is imminent. The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOCI) is expected to carry out the second arrest warrant around midweek. With the clear division between the 'moderate faction' and the 'hardline faction' within the Security Service leadership, attention is focused on how this may affect the execution of the second arrest warrant.

Security Service Leadership Divided into Moderates and Hardliners

Among the five key leaders of the Security Service, former Director Park Jong-jun and Director of the Security and Safety Headquarters Lee Jin-ha are classified as the so-called 'moderate faction.' They recently voluntarily complied with police investigations. In particular, former Director Park expressed the view that "the situation should be resolved on the principle of non-violence" and is known to have advocated for resolution through inter-agency mediation.

On the other hand, Acting Director Kim Seong-hoon, Security Headquarters Director Lee Kwang-woo, and Family Department Director Kim Shin are classified as the 'hardline faction.' They are associated with the Kim Yong-hyun?Kim Geon-hee line. Some media outlets reported that Deputy Director Kim Seong-hoon issued a hardline directive to arm the Security Service with submachine guns or heavier weapons in preparation for the execution of the second arrest warrant. Deputy Director Kim and Director Lee joined the Security Service as part of the 5th class in 1996 and have been connected since their military service days. Kim was the senior at the time and is older.

Growing Internal Opposition within the Security Service

Voices opposing a hardline response are growing within the Security Service. Yoon Geon-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who served in the Blue House for eight years during the Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in administrations, claimed, "At a recent meeting of Security Service section chiefs and department heads, there were calls for the resignation of the Deputy Director and the Security Headquarters Director." Additionally, a three-page A4 document was posted on the Security Service internal network stating, "Obstructing the execution of the arrest warrant may be illegal. The execution of a warrant by investigative agencies cannot be regarded as harm to the life or body of the protected individual, so it must be complied with." This document was deleted but later restored.

A Security Service official who spoke with The Hankyoreh said, "The majority of executives at grade 4 and above have shifted to a position of cooperating with the execution of the arrest warrant," adding, "The hardliners willing to risk confrontation number fewer than ten." The official further stated, "If only Deputy Director Kim Seong-hoon and Director Lee Kwang-woo are summoned (arrested), cooperation will be forthcoming."

※ You can watch detailed coverage in the video below

Joint Investigation Headquarters Formulates Strategy for Second Arrest Warrant Execution

The Joint Investigation Headquarters (JIH), composed of the HOCI and the police, is reported to have formulated a concrete strategy for executing the second arrest warrant this week. The plan under consideration involves first arresting three Security Service executives (Deputy Director Kim Seong-hoon, Security Headquarters Director Lee Kwang-woo, and Family Department Director Kim Shin) and then securing the President's custody. They also plan to deploy more personnel than during the first execution and are preparing for a prolonged operation, including setting up tents.

The JIH is also considering filing lawsuits for damages or claims for compensation against the Security Service for costs related to injuries or removal of obstacles. However, they are reportedly also considering leniency if Security Service personnel are booked for obstructing the execution of the arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, President Yoon Seok-yeol announced on the 14th that he will not attend the first impeachment trial hearing scheduled at the Constitutional Court, citing unresolved personal safety and security issues. This stance has been criticized as contradictory to his earlier statement that he "would not evade legal or political responsibility."

This week is expected to be a critical turning point in the impeachment political crisis, with the National Assembly's passage of the Special Investigation Act on Rebellion, the execution of the second arrest warrant, the launch of a national investigation related to rebellion, and the first hearing at the Constitutional Court all occurring in quick succession.