This photo shows people believed to be security guard patrols at impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's official residence in Seoul, Jan. 13. Yonhap
The state anti-corruption agency said Monday it has requested the cooperation of the defense ministry and the Presidential Security Service (PSS) ahead of its second attempt at detaining President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law bid.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) said it sent letters to the ministry and the PSS on Sunday night asking for their cooperation and warning of legal consequences should they fail to comply.
In its letter to the defense ministry, the CIO said any soldier obstructing the execution of warrants to detain Yoon and search the presidential residence could receive criminal punishment or face claims for damages in the event of human or material damage.
The letter to the PSS warned of similar consequences for security personnel obstructing the execution of the warrants, in addition to possible loss of status as a public servant and restrictions on rehiring and pension receipts.
"We inform you that in the case of PSS employees, they will not face disadvantages for defying illegal orders to block the execution of the warrants," the letter said, apparently seeking to win over personnel caught in the middle of a reported internal rift over whose orders to follow in the wake of PSS chief Park Chong-jun's resignation. (Yonhap)