South Korean police blocked from accessing key surveillance in martial law probe

Police investigators were once again thwarted in their attempt to search the Presidential Security Service (PSS) and a presidential safe house on January 20, as part of their ongoing investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law bid.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., investigators arrived at the PSS office in the Yongsan district of Seoul, as well as a safe house located in Samcheong-dong. The aim was to secure surveillance camera footage that could shed light on activities surrounding the controversial martial law discussions, Caliber.Az reports per Korean media.

The safe house, where President Yoon met with national and Seoul police chiefs on December 3, had been the site of crucial meetings just hours before Yoon’s announcement of martial law. Authorities hoped to retrieve footage from the surveillance system stored at the PSS office to identify who had entered the premises and what instructions were given in the hours leading up to the decree.

However, despite the investigators' efforts, they were forced to leave the premises shortly after 5 p.m. when the PSS denied access. According to the PSS, such searches require the consent of the responsible authorities due to the sensitive nature of the premises, which may involve military secrets or classified government data.

This failed raid comes just a day after President Yoon was formally placed under arrest on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. Senior officials from the PSS have either resigned or are under investigation in connection with the case, highlighting the growing controversy surrounding the martial law episode.

Previous attempts to search the PSS office and the safe house had also been met with resistance, further complicating the ongoing investigation into Yoon's role in the martial law declaration. Authorities are continuing to pursue leads, but access to key evidence remains blocked, underscoring the challenges faced by investigators in uncovering the full scope of the incident.