South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) made a bold move on the 13th of January, 2025,requesting that both the defense ministry and the presidential security service cooperate in the face of a second attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Late Sunday, the CIO sent formal letters to both entities, urging compliance and warning of severe legal consequences for any failure to assist, as reported by Yonhap.
In its letter to the defense ministry, the CIO emphasized that any soldier who interferes with the execution of Yoon’s arrest warrants or the search of the presidential residence could face criminal charges, alongside potential claims for damages if human or material harm occurs.
A separate letter to the presidential security service echoed these warnings, outlining similar penalties for security personnel obstructing the investigation.
These consequences could extend to a loss of status as a public servant and restrictions on future employment or pension benefits.
The CIO also reassured security service employees that they would not suffer repercussions for defying illegal orders to block the warrants’ execution, according to Yonhap and NAN reports.