Park Jong-joon, chief of security, who is accused of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol, did not comply with the second summons from the police martial law special investigation team on the 7th.
The police special investigation team announced through a press release that they sent a third summons to Chief Park, who ignored the second summons, requiring appearance by 10 a.m. on the 10th.
There are predictions within the police and outside that if Chief Park ignores the third summons, the police will proceed with actions such as applying for an arrest warrant. This is interpreted as an attempt not only to investigate Chief Park but also to neutralize the security office impeding the execution of the second arrest warrant for President Yoon. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, which formed a joint investigation office with the police, also filed for an arrest warrant when President Yoon ignored the third summons.
The security office announced plans for Chief Park to appoint a lawyer today or tomorrow to coordinate a schedule for appearance. However, it is reported that the police view this as a tactic to delay.
The police are also investigating the role of Chief Park in mobilizing soldiers from the 33rd Military Police Unit and the 55th Guard Battalion in forming the 'human chain' that blocked the arrest of President Yoon. If confirmed, there is a view that additional charges, such as abuse of authority, could be applied.
However, regarding Chief Park's non-compliance with the first summons on the 4th, citing that 'security duties cannot be left unattended even for a moment,' the police are reportedly considering the option of conducting a visit investigation. It is noted that last month, when the police conducted two reference interviews with Chief Park, the special nature of security duties was considered, and visit investigations were conducted.
Meanwhile, the special investigation team announced that they sent a second summons by 2 p.m. on the 10th to Lee Kwang-woo, the head of the security division at the security office, who ignored the first summons on the same day.