South Korea's presidential security chief calls for no clashes amid detention standoff with Yoon

The head of South Korea's Presidential Security Service (PSS), Park Chong-jun, stated that no clashes or bloodshed should occur when investigators once again attempt to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his controversial martial law declaration.

Park's comments came as he appeared before the police for questioning regarding allegations that he had instructed PSS officials to prevent the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), supported by police forces, from executing a detention warrant for Yoon, Caliber.Az reports via Korean media.

"I believe many people must be deeply concerned about the current situation, whether government agencies are clashing and confronting each other," Park said. "There should be no physical clashes and bloodshed under any circumstances."

The remarks address growing public concerns over the escalating confrontation between investigators and Yoon's presidential security service. Park emphasized that the investigation should respect the position of the sitting president.

"I think the investigation should proceed in a manner befitting the status of a sitting president," Park added as he entered the Joint Investigation Headquarters in western Seoul.

Yoon, who faces charges of insurrection related to his brief imposition of martial law on December 3, has refused to cooperate with the CIO’s summonses or warrant executions. The CIO, however, is not officially authorized to investigate insurrection charges, complicating matters further.

The CIO, alongside the police, is currently assessing whether to detain PSS staff members if they attempt to block a second arrest attempt of Yoon.

Park, who is under investigation for obstructing official duties, complied with the police's third request for questioning, having previously defied two earlier requests.

After a failed attempt to arrest Yoon on January 3, the PSS has bolstered security around the presidential residence by installing barbed wire, erecting barricades, and deploying buses to block access.

The CIO secured a new arrest warrant for Yoon on January 7, after the initial seven-day order expired, and is coordinating with the police for a second attempt to detain the impeached president.

By Vafa Guliyeva