Announcements from the South Korean government or major news outlets

South Korea's Park Jong-joon Resigns as Presidential Security Chief Amid Controversy Over Impeached President Yoon's Arrest

Jan 10, 2025, 08:10 AM

Park Jong-joon, the head of South Korea's Presidential Security Service, resigned on January 10, 2025, after facing police questioning over allegations that he obstructed the execution of an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Park submitted his resignation to Acting President Choi Sang-mok before appearing at the police station. The resignation was accepted by Choi, and the Presidential Security Service is now operating under the leadership of Deputy Chief Kim Seong-hoon. Park's actions were in response to the security service's efforts to block the arrest of Yoon, who was impeached following his brief imposition of martial law. Park emphasized the need to avoid any physical clashes or bloodshed between government agencies during the ongoing political crisis.