National Investigation Committee on Rebellion Charges
Acting Minister Kim Seon-ho Engages in Debate Over 55th Security Group's Command Structure
"Says Clear Instructions Must Be Given to the Units"
Kim Seon-ho, Acting Minister of National Defense (Vice Minister), became embroiled in controversy over the Presidential Security Service's decision not to deploy military personnel to obstruct the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol. When Lim Jong-deuk, a member of the People Power Party, argued that the matter should have been coordinated through Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Kim responded by stating, "It is not justifiable to deploy our military forces to carry out physical actions during law enforcement."
During the institutional report at the 'Special Committee for the Investigation of the Alleged Rebellion Charges through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Government' held at the National Assembly on the 14th, Kim explained that regarding the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon, he had conveyed the Ministry of National Defense's position to the Presidential Security Service to ensure that the 55th Security Group and the 33rd Military Police, both under the Capital Defense Command responsible for outer security of the presidential residence, would not be involved. He confirmed that the Security Service assured that military forces would not be deployed in such a process. This means that even if the arrest warrant for President Yoon were executed, the military personnel assigned to the Security Service would not be deployed to prevent it.
Kim Seon-ho, Acting Minister of National Defense, is reporting on duties at the plenary meeting of the "Special Committee on the National Investigation into the Alleged Insurrection through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration" held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
In this regard, Rep. Lim pointed out, "The Ministry of National Defense had assigned the 55th Security Group and the 33rd Military Police to the Security Service," and added, "If there is a disagreement regarding this matter (obstruction of the arrest warrant), communication should first occur between the heads of the institutions, and if unresolved, it should be coordinated through the superior acting authority."
In response, Acting Minister Kim said, "I conveyed our position to the Security Service, but there was no reply," and "I have not discussed this with Acting Prime Minister Choi."
When Rep. Lim repeatedly questioned whether there was a problem with the command structure, Acting Minister Kim stated, "I conveyed our position to the Security Service as the person responsible for the original units, who has the authority to command and control all units, and I have the authority to instruct the units to act precisely." When Rep. Lim pointed out that this could cause confusion in command and control, Kim responded, "That applies only when the orders are legitimate and aligned with the assigned mission," adding, "I do not consider it justifiable or part of the assigned mission to deploy military forces to carry out physical actions during law enforcement."
Rep. Lim then pointed out, "The presidential side claims that the warrant is illegal." Kim countered, "I believe clear instructions must be given to the unit commanders," and added, "If such instructions are not given, how can the unit members act properly in a confusing situation?" When the claim that the execution of the warrant might be illegal persisted, Acting Minister Kim stated, "If it is decided that what I did was an overreach or abuse of authority, I will take responsibility."
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