"'Yoon Arrest Prevention' Security Office Warrant Dismissal: 'Expected Outcome' vs. 'Unacceptable'"

The ruling and opposition parties expressed conflicting views on the court's dismissal of the arrest warrants for Kim Seong-hoon, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Service, and Lee Kwang-woo, Head of the Security Headquarters, who are accused of obstructing the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol. The People Power Party welcomed the decision as a "natural outcome," while the Democratic Party of Korea responded with "incomprehension."

On the 22nd, Shin Dong-wook, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary, "The court has once again dealt a heavy blow to the illegal investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the unlawful actions of the National Police Agency Investigation Headquarters," adding, "It was absurd and reckless to forcibly request arrest warrants solely on the grounds that the Security Service, which prioritizes protecting the president as its top duty, was performing its duties."

Kim Seong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Presidential Security Service, who is accused of obstructing the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol, is leaving the building after completing the pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

Spokesperson Shin further said, "The National Police Agency Investigation Headquarters, which is causing confusion through such 'excessive targeted investigations,' should take this opportunity to stop retaliatory and human rights-violating illegal investigations," and urged, "The prosecution must also thoroughly investigate the illegal investigations by the CIO and the unlawful acts of the National Police Agency Investigation Headquarters."

Assemblyman Kim Ki-hyun wrote on Facebook, "Those who would be pleased if the two Security Service officials were arrested are North Korea's Kim Jong-un and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung," and stated, "It is only right to immediately dismiss Acting Police Chief Lee Ho-young and National Police Agency Investigation Headquarters Chief Woo Jong-su, who recklessly caused confusion by committing such outrageous acts."

Assemblywoman Na Kyung-won said, "We must thoroughly review the due process regarding the abuse of investigative authority, misuse and abuse of warrant requests, and the excessive approach targeting state secrets by the Police Investigation Unit and the National Police Agency Investigation Headquarters, and hold those responsible accountable." She added, "Rather, those at risk of evidence destruction are the main perpetrators of the illegal investigation into incitement of rebellion?the suspects involved in the 'collusion' among the Democratic Party, CIO, and National Police Agency Investigation Headquarters," emphasizing, "Thorough investigation and inspection are necessary."

Assemblyman Yoon Sang-hyun said, "The police have not escaped criticism for their excessive investigation and the 'stubborn arrest warrant' request," urging the dismissal of Acting Chief Lee Ho-young and Headquarters Chief Lee Jong-su.

On the other hand, Lee Geon-tae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a briefing that day, "It is incomprehensible that the court did not detain Kim Seong-hoon and Lee Kwang-woo, the main perpetrators of obstruction of special official duties," criticizing, "It is as if the court is denying the authority of its own orders."

He continued, "The warrant issued by the court symbolizes state authority," and emphasized, "The entire nation witnessed the Security Service systematically obstructing the execution of the arrest warrant against the ringleader of the rebellion." The court's dismissal of the arrest warrants for the two individuals accused of blocking the execution of President Yoon's arrest warrant effectively means the court has undermined its own authority.

Spokesperson Lee pointed to the prosecution, saying, "The outrageous fact is that the prosecution's negligence influenced the court's dismissal of the warrant," and criticized, "Surprisingly, the prosecution did not attend the pretrial detention hearing for these individuals." He added, "While the defense lawyers made all sorts of arguments against detention, there was no prosecutor to explain the necessity of detention, and only the one-sided claims of Kim Seong-hoon and Lee Kwang-woo were reflected in the trial."

He concluded, "The prosecution, which released the ringleader of the rebellion Yoon Seok-yeol, has now even prevented the detention of Yoon Seok-yeol's loyalists," and said, "The prosecution, which has degenerated into a personal law firm for Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee, will fall together with them."