President Yoon's Security Service Two Police Officers Appear... Accused of Leading 'Arrest Prevention'

Deputy Chief Appears for Second Investigation in Handcuffs
Chief of Security Headquarters Appears After Ignoring Three Summons

Kim Seong-hoon, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Service, and Lee Kwang-woo, Chief of the Security Headquarters, who are accused of leading the obstruction of the execution of an arrest warrant against President Yoon Seok-yeol (special obstruction of official duties), were summoned by the police on the 18th.

Kwangwoo Lee, Chief of Security Headquarters of the Presidential Security Service, appears at the National Investigation Headquarters. Yonhap News

Known as hardliners within the Security Service, they appeared at the National Investigation Headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, at around 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., respectively.

Deputy Chief Kim was arrested by the police immediately after appearing at the National Investigation Headquarters the previous day. After the investigation ended the day before, he was transferred to the detention center at Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul.

Deputy Chief Kim entered the interrogation room without responding to reporters' questions such as "Do you continue to deny the charges?" and "Do you admit to obstructing the execution of the arrest warrant?" He was wearing handcuffs covered with black cloth and was dressed in the same suit as the previous day.

Kim's lawyer, Bae Ui-cheol, told reporters, "Deputy Chief Kim was just following the security manual," adding, "It was appropriate to present the arrest warrant outside the official residence. Since there was an illegal intrusion when the arrest warrant was presented, the Security Service only responded according to principles."

Chief Lee told reporters, "I will sincerely cooperate with the investigation," and added, "The Security Service was only performing its legitimate duties within the security zone."

Chief Lee has had an arrest warrant issued against him after failing to comply with three previous summonses.

The police initially planned to arrest Chief Lee along with the second arrest warrant execution against President Yoon on the 15th, but they did not execute the warrant after receiving a promise that he would appear at the police station with his lawyer after completing the presidential security duties.

Deputy Chief Kim, who also delayed the execution of the arrest warrant, was arrested immediately after appearing at the police station the previous day. There is a possibility that the police will also secure custody of Chief Lee.