Jung Jin-seok: "The Corruption Investigation Office is handling Yoon like a South American gang"… Opposition: "They are acting like gang leaders"

Jung Jin-seok Criticizes Investigation, Mentions "South American Drug Cartel"
Opposition Condemns Yoon's Order to Use Force and Sit-in Tactics

Jung Jin-seok, Chief of Staff to the President, criticized the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit and the police for executing arrest warrants, saying they are "handling it like a South American drug cartel." In response, the opposition party criticized President Yoon for acting like a South American drug cartel.

In a public appeal on the same day, Chief Jung stated, "President Yoon should be guaranteed the right to fully exercise his defense and explain his position," adding, "The Presidential Office is ready to consult with the police and the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit. Investigations at a third location or on-site visits regarding the president can all be considered."

A large bus is parked at the rear gate entrance of the Presidential Residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 13th, as the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency's second arrest warrant execution attempt for President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

In this process, Chief Jung criticized the execution of the arrest warrants by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit and the police, lamenting, "Even though his duties have been suspended, they are still pushing President Yoon Seok-yeol, the head of state and the highest constitutional institution, as if dealing with a South American drug cartel."

In response, the opposition criticized President Yoon for acting like a South American drug cartel.

Park Chan-dae, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, encouraged the execution of the arrest warrant during a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, saying, "As the arrest of the traitor Yoon Seok-yeol is delayed, the people's economy is heading toward crisis, and the constitutional order and democracy are collapsing." Especially, seeming to be conscious of Chief Jung's remarks, Floor Leader Park mentioned, "It is said that President Yoon instructed a security office official at a lunch meeting to use a knife if a gun is not available to prevent the arrest. What kind of drug cartel boss is that?" Regarding the execution of the arrest warrant, Floor Leader Park also urged Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok to immediately dismiss officials such as Security Office Chief Kim Seong-hoon and Headquarters Director Lee Kwang-ho, who are encouraging illegal acts and pressure, to prevent bloodshed.

Cho Seung-rae, Senior Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, also pointed out in an SBS radio interview, "Chief Jung says they are handling it like a drug cartel, but who acted like a drug cartel? President Yoon is refusing legitimate law enforcement, building so-called fortifications, and mobilizing physical force to stage a sit-in. This is behaving like a drug cartel."