"Did you prepare a submachine gun?" Kim Seong-hoon Security Chief angrily responds, appears at police station

Lee Kwangwoo Remains Silent in Response to Questions

Kim Seong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Presidential Security Service, and Lee Kwang-woo, Head of the Security Headquarters, who are accused of leading the obstruction of President Yoon Seok-yeol's arrest, appeared before the police.

Kim Seong-hoon, Deputy Chief of Security, is testifying as a witness at the 1st hearing of the 'Special Committee for the National Assembly Investigation into the Truth of the December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident.' Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Deputy Director Kim appeared at the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency at around 7:23 a.m. on the 24th and told reporters regarding the deployment of submachine guns at the presidential residence, “Security officers prepare because they do not know what situation might occur,” adding, “I did not give any orders. Understand the situation before asking questions,” and snapped angrily.

Regarding whether he ordered the deletion of burner phones, Deputy Director Kim replied, “The burner phone system automatically deletes data every two days,” and said, “There is no reason for me to give such an order.”

When asked if it was appropriate for him to act as the acting head of the Security Service while under investigation, Deputy Director Kim said, “Give me an alternative.”

Head Lee did not respond to questions such as “Do you admit to leading the arrest obstruction?” and “Did you prepare submachine guns to prepare for protesters?”

The Special Investigation Unit of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency recently secured statements from Security Service officials that Head Lee ordered, “Take out two MP7 submachine guns and 80 rounds of ammunition from the presidential residence armory and place them at the family desk,” and “If the second gate of the residence is breached, run out carrying the machine gun.”

Previously, Deputy Director Kim and Head Lee were arrested by the police on the 17th and 18th, respectively, on charges of obstructing the first execution of the arrest warrant against President Yoon. The police applied for an arrest warrant for Deputy Director Kim on the 18th, but it was rejected by the prosecution. Both were released and returned to security duties. The police plan to reapply for an arrest warrant after supplementary investigations.