[Reporter’s Notebook] A Word from the Chief of Presidential Security

On the morning of the 10th, an urgent alert was sent to the National Police Agency press room. It was news that Park Jong-jun, the head of the Presidential Security Office who had been refusing police investigation citing presidential protection, was coming for questioning. In the biting cold of nearly minus 10 degrees Celsius, Park stood at the photo line. "Investigation procedures appropriate for the status of a sitting president," "This is not the same as the current arrest warrant method"… His words were not much different from the stance shown by President Yoon Seok-yeol’s legal team and the Security Office so far.

“How much longer…” Various thoughts flashed through my mind when suddenly Park’s words caught my attention. "From the beginning, I decided to comply with the police investigation. As a former police officer, if I refuse to be summoned and investigated by the police, then who else would submit to police investigation?" A former police commissioner general, he spoke calmly and clearly about the attitude a public official should have toward national authority, and furthermore, the duty of the people. It was then reported that he had submitted his resignation, which Acting President Choi Sang-mok accepted. Although Acting President Choi tried to dissuade him, Park’s resolve was firm. This too is no different from the attitude a public official should rightfully take toward investigations by state agencies.

Since then, Park has continued to undergo additional police investigations and is cooperating with mobile phone forensic analysis. Of course, there are skeptical views regarding his reasons for doing so, ranging from claims that it is a stalling tactic to protect President Yoon to accusations of a sophisticated deception. The facts related to this will soon be revealed. If Park had such intentions, he should be strongly criticized. However, so far, I want to believe in his sincerity?especially the attitude he has shown toward national authority as a person who has dedicated his life to public service.

President Yoon Seok-yeol often said during his presidential campaign, "I am someone who served 27 years as a prosecutor in public office." He also frequently said, "Having investigated as a prosecutor, I know..." After 27 years of public service as a prosecutor, he rose to the presidency. As the highest public official in the Republic of Korea and as a citizen of Korea, he must know better than anyone how to approach national authority and investigations. The image of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, blocked by layers of barricades and barbed wire on TV screens, is not only bizarre but also pitiful. Seeing security guards, seemingly of a similar age to reporters, hurriedly moving in the cold makes my chest tighten. This is probably the sentiment of most people of a similar generation, not just reporters. The police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials are expected to execute the arrest warrant soon. There really is no more time. President, please recall ‘Park’s words.’ Act as the highest public official of the Republic of Korea.