Seoul, South Korea – More twists unfolded Monday in the high-stakes political drama surrounding the attempted arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol by the Corruption-Claude Office for High-ranking Officials (CPO).
In the latest development, Park Jong Jun, the Director of Presidential Security Service (PSS), who was indicted for allegedly obstructing the CPO’s attempt to arrest the President, has refused to comply with a police summons. His legal representation is yet to be secured, according to the PSS.
The PSS and Park have maintained that the PSS cannot leave the President’s side, deeming the current situation too critical for any absenteeism from the Presidential Security Service. This stance echoes President Yoon’s earlier refusal to cooperate with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s several summon attempts, sans a lawyer.
Park’s defiance comes hot on the heels of his controversial statement on Friday. In a press release, he claimed, "It would be a dereliction of duty for the PSS to assist in an arguably illegal and suspect arrest." He went on to declare, " Should this judgment prove erroneous, I shall bear all legal consequences."
Monday’s police summons is the second in a series. Park had already turned down a request last Thursday, leading to today’s summon. President Yoon, too, has remained unresponsive to three summon notices from the prosecution, without providing a legal representative.
The CPO had issued an arrest warrant for Yoon on suspicion of involvement in a bribery scandal related to the 12·3 coup d’état. The Nonetheless, the PSS stepped in to stop the arrest, arguing procedural irregularities.
As the political tension escalates, the nation eagerly awaits the next chapter in this increasingly complicated power struggle.
