Ruling and opposition parties slam National Police Agency... Demand stance on "Guksubon Messenger" and "Yoon's use of force"

PPP: "Messenger Scandal Involving Lee Sangsik Requires Inspection"
National Police Agency: "Investigation Ongoing... Not Yet Time for Inspection"
National Police Agency: "Active Measures Will Be Taken On Site If Force Is Used"

On the 13th, during the full meeting of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee (PAS Committee), both ruling and opposition parties fired questions at the National Police Agency. The People Power Party (PPP) attempted to verify allegations that the Democratic Party and the National Investigation Headquarters (NIH) were colluding. The Democratic Party urged the National Police Agency to clarify its position regarding reports that President Yoon Seok-yeol ordered consideration of the use of force to block the execution of an arrest warrant.

On the 13th, Lee Ho-young, Acting Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and others attended the full meeting of the Administrative Safety Committee at the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Kim Jong-yang, a PPP member of the PAS Committee, directed his questions to Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young of the National Police Agency, stating, "Assemblyman Lee Sang-sik said he is acting as a messenger between the Democratic Party and the NIH, and that his phone has been ringing off the hook." He added, "The timing of the issuance of the arrest warrant, which could be confidential to the investigation, has even been mentioned, and there are contents that seem to suggest the direction of the investigation while encouraging and supporting the NIH and the police." He emphasized, "This matter raises suspicions of collusion or backdoor dealings between the NIH and politicians," and "The National Police Agency should verify the facts and conduct an internal investigation if necessary."

Acting Commissioner Lee responded, "According to reports I have received from the NIH, there is no such fact among those ranked at superintendent or above," and "Since the matter has been reported to the prosecution and police, we will wait for the investigation results. At this stage, it is not yet time for an internal investigation."

Assemblyman Lee Sang-sik had posted on his social media on the 7th, "My phone has been ringing off the hook and meetings have continued as I acted as a messenger between our party and the NIH," adding, "If the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol is reissued this evening and the special investigation on the charge of rebellion is re-voted tomorrow, stormy days will follow again. I will encourage, support, and advise the juniors in the NIH and police to ensure the arrest of the rebel leader Yoon Seok-yeol." After controversy arose, he deleted the part about acting as a messenger between the party and the NIH. The PPP has used this as an admission of collusion between the Democratic Party and the NIH in their offensive.

The Democratic Party launched a verification effort regarding reports that President Yoon instructed senior officials of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) to consider the use of force as the execution of the second arrest warrant approached. Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Geon-young said, "The actual behavior of the PSS is the basis for the use of force. Yesterday, the PSS anti-terrorism team staged a show of force," adding, "They were fully armed and carried items presumed to be weapons in their bags." He continued, "There are numerous internal whistleblowers from the PSS. I don't understand why they are trying to cover it up."

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Eun-hee criticized, "Chairman Shin Jeong-hoon of the PAS Committee and some Democratic Party members claim that the PSS will use force, but there is no evidence," adding, "They are basing this entirely on media reports and are gaslighting by assuming that force will be used, asking what the police will do in that case." She emphasized, "I believe the National Police Agency should firmly respond to questions that are based on hypothetical situations and gaslighting."

Chairman Shin also stated, "Even though the warrant has been confirmed by the court, there are talks about using force," adding, "As the head of the police who commands and supervises national public authority, it is necessary to speak clearly on such matters." Acting Commissioner Lee replied, "We will actively take measures according to the situation on the ground against any acts that obstruct the execution by using force." He also expressed the opinion that the arrest warrant for President Yoon is lawful and that PSS personnel cannot obstruct its execution.