South Korea’s presidential security chief resigns after ‘bloodshed’ warning

After warning authorities to avoid “bloodshed” in any attempt to apprehend impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol over his brief-lived declaration of martial law, the head of South Korea’s presidential security service resigned.

Park Jong-joon, the head of the Presidential Security Service, stepped down on Friday amid an investigation into allegations of&nbsp, obstruction of public duty.

After Park made an appearance for police questioning earlier in the day, Choi Sang-mok’s office confirmed that it had accepted his resignation.

Park said as he arrived for questioning, many people were concerned about the possibility of violence if Yoon’s arrest warrant was sought by authorities.

At the Joint Investigation Headquarters in Seoul, Park told reporters, “I came here today with the conviction that there should be no physical clashes or bloodshed. I’m hoping to stop these things from happening.”

After his security detail last week prevented investigators from carrying out a warrant at his office residence, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) and police are preparing to make a second attempt to detain Yoon.

Following a two-hour standoff with the president’s security last Friday, the anti-corruption agency decided not to detain Yoon, citing concerns for the safety of its personnel.

Yoon is facing charges of insurrection and power abuse after his quick declaration of martial law on December 3 plunged South Korea into its most severe political crisis in decades.

Yoon, who has been resacked from his position since a December 14 impeachment vote at the National Assembly, would become the first sitting president to be detained in South Korean history.

Park, who ignored two previous requests to appear for questioning, claimed Yoon had been unfairly treated and that investigations should be conducted in a manner appropriate for the “dignity of the nation.”

The legal team of Yoon’s campaign has argued that Yoon’s lawyers need a legal basis to demand an arrest warrant or a formal arrest warrant, which would require a court hearing.

Despite his legal issues, polls released this week showed growing support for Yoon and his People Power Party (PPP).

In a Gallup Korea survey released on Friday, 64 percent of respondents said they were in favor of Yoon’s ouster, a decrease from the 75% who were present shortly after the martial law was implemented.