Park Jong-joon, head of South Korea’s presidential guard, has resigned amid an investigation into obstruction of the president’s arrest. His questioning by police is linked to events that unfolded at the presidential residence in January.
The head of the Republic of Korea’s presidential security service, Park Jong-joon, submitted his resignation to the acting head of state, Choi Sang-mok.
Security officials said:
“Director Park Jong-joon’s house is under police interrogation today, and through the secretariat, he sent his resignation letter to Acting President Choi Sang-mok.”
Park Jong-joon said, before being questioned at the Korean National Police Agency:
“I believe that under no circumstances should there be physical clashes or bloodshed.”
The presidential security chief appeared for questioning by police on Friday as part of an investigation where he is suspected of obstructing authorities. On January 3, during an attempt to arrest the president, he prevented investigators from conducting the arrest on the grounds of the presidential residence, arguing that it violated the law. After the confrontation, which lasted five and a half hours, the investigators were forced to leave the complex.
Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Office, which received the arrest warrant, announced its intention to ask Acting President Choi Sang-mok to order the security service not to obstruct the arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol. According to media reports, the Ministry of Finance, headed by Choi Sang-mok, said the acting president expects government agencies to handle the situation in accordance with the law.
Park Jong-joon appeared for questioning after receiving a third summons. In the case of three failures to appear for questioning, law enforcement agencies usually apply for an arrest warrant.
Earlier, South Korean media claimed that police were considering using special forces and special equipment to arrest the president. There are also reports that the police intend to use up to 1,000 investigators.
