Police Attempt to Search Presidential Office Blocked: Military and Official Secrets Cited 🛡️

The police’s attempt to search the presidential office regarding allegations of obstructing the arrest of former President Yoon Suk-yeol was thwarted by the Presidential Guard Service. 🚫 Here’s what happened:

Key Points

• Refusal: The Presidential Guard Service submitted a statement of non-approval for the execution of the search warrant.
• Reason: Citing Article 110 and 111 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which protect military and official secrets.
• Compromise: The Guard Service agreed to submit data from secure phones (비화폰, *Bihwa-pon* – secure phones used for confidential communication) via voluntary submission.
• Objectives: The police aimed to secure data to prove allegations that Yoon obstructed his arrest back in January.

Detailed Breakdown

The Special Investigation Unit of the Police attempted to search the presidential office and the official residence in Hannam-dong. The target included the Guard Service’s secure phone server and documents in the chief’s office. 🕵️‍♂️

The police believe that former President Yoon, through the Guard Service, attempted to block the initial arrest attempt by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (공수처, *Gongsucheo* – an independent agency tasked with investigating corruption among high-ranking public officials) and the police on January 3. 👮‍♀️

Additionally, they sought to secure CCTV footage from the presidential office to investigate allegations that former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min ordered the disconnection of power and water to media companies (내란, *Naeran* – Insurrection), but were unsuccessful. 😔

Despite multiple attempts, the police have repeatedly failed to secure the Guard Service’s secure phone server, which is considered key evidence in uncovering the truth behind the martial law situation.

With Yoon no longer having immunity and the Guard Service chief offering to resign, there was hope this search would be different. However, the attempt was ultimately unsuccessful. 🤷‍♂️