Two top South Korean presidential security officials (PSS) refused a police request to appear for questioning on Saturday. The agency Jonhap informed about it, writes TASR.
The PSS said in a press release that due to the seriousness of the security situation for suspended President Jun Sok-yol, neither the PSS chief nor his deputy can leave their posts “even for a moment.” PSS added that it negotiated with the police about rescheduling the interrogation.
The announced hearing was to take place a day after the Corruption Perceptions Office (CIO) tried on Friday to execute a warrant for Jun’s arrest for his failed attempt to declare martial law in South Korea. However, the CIO was forced to stop its action after a dispute with PSS officials and soldiers. In addition to soldiers and PSS, about 200 people also blocked the entrance to the presidential residence.
Jonhap Agency added that six opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party, are now calling for the PSS chief to be punished for his role in sabotaging the attempted arrest of Jun. The opposition is demanding the chief’s dismissal from office and accusations of obstruction of official duties, concealment of the perpetrator and abuse of authority.
In addition, the opposition accused the PSS leadership of complicity in sabotaging the CIO’s efforts to execute the arrest warrant issued for the suspended president. The opposition also accused acting President Choi Sang-mok of being responsible for the stalemate. whom she urged to encourage PSS to cooperate with the CIO.
The arrest warrant for Jun Sok-jol was issued in connection with an investigation into his Dec. 3 decision to declare martial law. In addition to the arrest warrant for Jun, which expires on Monday, January 6, the court also issued a search warrant.
The declaration of martial law plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades. Tensions escalated when the parliament also approved the dismissal of interim president Han Tok-su. He was initiated by the opposition for refusing to complete the impeachment against Juno. Choi Sang-mok became the new interim president.
