President Yoon Suk's Security Chief Fired After Questioning

South Korea's acting leader has fired the head of the presidential security service accused of blocking the arrest of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The acting leader, Vice Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, also expressed regret over the clashes between South Korean police officers and members of the presidential security service headed by Park Jong-joon.

Regarding the attempted arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol, he also called on lawmakers to reach a political agreement that would allow for an independent investigation.

The Senior Officials Corruption Investigation Department and the police are coordinating a second attempt to arrest Yoon as they jointly investigate whether the brief declaration of martial law on December 3 last year constituted an attempted rebellion.

The presidential security service blocked Yoon's arrest at the official residence where he has been staying since last month.

Park ignored two summonses before appearing for questioning on obstruction of justice charges today.

Members of the presidential security force blocked dozens of officers from the anti-corruption department and police who tried to enter Yoon's official residence.

Park Jong-joon said he had a duty to protect the president and warned of the possibility of "bloodshed."

Authorities say the presidential security force is turning into Yoon's private army.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Department and the police have announced a new, "more energetic" operation to arrest Yoon, warning that members of the presidential security team may be detained.

The president remains in the compound where the official residence is located in Seoul, with the presidential security service fortifying the area with barbed wire and vehicles blocking access.

Yoon declared martial law and sent troops to surround the National Assembly on December 3, 2024, but within hours, lawmakers voted to lift the measure.

The presidential powers were suspended when the opposition-dominated National Assembly voted to impeach the head of state on December 14.

Lawmakers accused the president of rebellion.

The fate of the head of state depends on the Constitutional Court, which has begun deliberating on whether to formally impeach Yoon, drop the charges or reinstate him.