South Korea’s Presidential Security Service (PSS) chief, Park Chong-jun, resigned on Friday, January 9, as he faced questioning over his role in preventing the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The resignation comes after a tense standoff between Yoon’s security detail and investigators last week, following the president’s refusal to comply with questioning and arrest over his controversial martial law declaration in December.
Park, who submitted his resignation following police questioning, had been under scrutiny for his role in blocking authorities from detaining Yoon on January 3.
A PSS official confirmed that Park’s resignation was accepted by acting President Choi Sang-mok.
The move occurred as investigators prepared to make another attempt to arrest Yoon, having obtained a new arrest warrant for the president this week.
In comments to the press before his resignation, Park called for restraint during any potential arrest attempt, emphasizing the need to avoid violence.
“I understand the concerns of the public about the ongoing standoff between government agencies,” he said.
“Under no circumstances should this escalate into physical confrontations or bloodshed.”
Protesters continue to gather in sub-zero temperatures, with two camps demanding either Yoon’s impeachment to be overturned or his immediate detention.
Should the authorities succeed in arresting Yoon, he would become the first sitting South Korean president to face arrest.
Yoon’s legal team has already declared that they will not comply with the current arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, police have ramped up preparations for a second attempt, with the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) promising a “thorough” strategy.
On Friday, prosecutors also indicted a former defense intelligence commander involved in the martial law decree, charging him with insurrection and abuse of power.
In addition to the arrest warrant, Yoon is facing ongoing impeachment proceedings.
The Constitutional Court is set to begin deliberating on his impeachment on January 14.
While lawmakers have suspended him, the court will determine whether to uphold the suspension or restore Yoon to office.
If Yoon fails to attend the trial, proceedings will continue in his absence.
As tensions mount, political commentators have warned that any violent clashes during an arrest could damage Yoon’s standing in the impeachment trial.
However, recent polls show an increase in support for his ruling party, with approval ratings for the People Power Party rising to 34 percent from 24 percent just three weeks ago.
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