South Korea’s political crisis escalated on Friday as Park Chong-jun, the head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), resigned amid mounting pressure and police questioning over his role in obstructing the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. This development adds a new layer of complexity to the country’s most severe political crisis in decades, triggered by Yoon’s short-lived power grab earlier this month.
Park stepped down on Friday morning while attending a police inquiry regarding his team’s interference in investigators’ attempt to detain Yoon on January 3. The resignation was later accepted by acting President Choi Sang-mok, according to an official from the interim leader’s office.
Speaking before the questioning, Park called for restraint in the fraught situation.
“I understand many citizens are concerned about the current situation where government agencies are in conflict and confrontation,” Park said. “I believe that under no circumstances should there be physical clashes or bloodshed.”
The PSS chief had twice ignored police summons over allegations of obstructing public duty, citing the critical responsibility of protecting the impeached president.
Authorities are preparing a fresh attempt to arrest Yoon after securing a new warrant this week. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) announced its readiness to proceed with the operation, while police commanders held a strategy meeting to plan for the renewed effort.
Yoon faces allegations of insurrection and abuse of authority related to his controversial martial law declaration during his brief power grab on December 3. If arrested, he would become the first sitting South Korean president to face such a fate.
Yoon’s legal team has firmly refused to comply with the arrest warrant, while his security detail has bolstered defenses around his Seoul residence with barbed wire and barricades, remaining on heightened alert.
The crisis has polarized the nation. Rival protests continue in freezing temperatures, with one faction calling for Yoon’s impeachment to be invalidated, and another demanding his immediate detention.
Lawmakers have already suspended Yoon, but the Constitutional Court is set to begin his impeachment trial on January 14. The trial will proceed in his absence if he does not appear. The court has until mid-June to decide whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment.
Political analysts warn that any violent confrontations during an arrest attempt could damage Yoon’s standing in the impeachment trial.
“Physical confrontations would likely weaken his position in the upcoming impeachment trial,” said political commentator Park Sang-byung.
Despite the crisis, Yoon’s ruling People Power Party has seen a surprising rise in public support. A recent Gallup poll showed its approval rating climbing to 34%, up from 24% three weeks ago.
As South Korea braces for the next phase of this unprecedented crisis, all eyes are on the upcoming impeachment trial and the potential fallout of any further clashes. The unfolding drama underscores deep divisions within the nation and the mounting challenges facing its political leadership.
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