Security Office: "Unauthorized Forced Entry into Official Residence is Illegal... Responding According to Manual"

"Prior Approval Required for Entry to Presidential Residence"
Differences Remain Despite Meeting Between Police, HOCI, and Security Service
Clash Inevitable if Arrest Warrant for Yoon is Executed

As the second execution of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol is anticipated, on the morning of the 14th, a staff member presumed to be from the Security Office was patrolling the premises at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The Presidential Security Service stated on the 14th that it will respond according to the security operation manual if an attempt is made to execute an arrest warrant against President Yoon Seok-yeol. As the execution of the warrant by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOCI) and the police is imminent, there is an analysis that a clash between state agencies could become a reality.

In a statement released that day, the Security Service said, "The Security Service, police, and HOCI have conducted sufficient consultations among the agencies to prevent physical clashes" and "The Security Service will make every effort to prevent any physical confrontation during the execution of the arrest warrant under any circumstances."

It added, "However, specific security zones, including the presidential residence, are security areas as well as national security facilities, national important facilities, and military facility protection zones, and prior approval from the person in charge is required for entry."

It further stated, "Forcible entry without prior approval is illegal, and any subsequent unlawful execution will be dealt with according to relevant laws and the existing security operation manual."

This is interpreted as an intention to define the police and HOCI's execution of the arrest warrant as 'illegal' and to block it.

On the same day, the National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Headquarters, HOCI, and the Security Service held a tripartite meeting ahead of the second execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon but failed to narrow their differences.

The police and HOCI are reportedly planning to attempt the warrant execution as originally planned if there is no progress in the Security Service's position. The execution is likely to take place on the 15th.

Accordingly, concerns are emerging that a clash between the police, HOCI, and the Security Service could become a reality. On the previous day, Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, instructed the National Police Agency and the Security Service that "there must never be any use of violent means or methods between related agencies."