Ex-PSS chief undergoes police questioning for 2nd time over obstructing Yoon's detainment

The former head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) has underwent police questioning for the second time over allegations that he blocked investigators' attempt to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law.

Park Chong-jun, who stepped down as chief of the PSS on Friday, has been booked on charges of obstructing official duties as presidential security officials have blocked the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) from executing a warrant to detain Yoon.

Park left the Joint Investigation Headquarters in western Seoul late Saturday after more than 14 hours of police questioning, following his initial appearance before police investigators on Friday.

"I am cooperating as diligently as possible with the authorities' investigation," Park told reporters as he left the building. He did not reply to questions on why he offered to resign and whether Yoon had ordered to obstruct efforts for his detainment.

On Friday, Park submitted his resignation shortly before appearing for a 13-hour police questioning, following two prior refusals to comply with the police requests.

Separately, Lee Jin-ha, head of the PSS' security and safety division who also faces charges of obstructing official duties, underwent police questioning Saturday for nearly nine hours.

Lee, who appeared after two summonses, told reporters that he cooperated "diligently" in the questioning but did not answer questions.

So far, only Park and Lee have appeared for police questioning among PSS officials.

Kim Seong-hoon, deputy chief of the PSS currently serving as acting head of the service, snubbed the police's requests to appear for questioning for the third time on Saturday, saying the seriousness of his duties in protecting Yoon makes it impossible for him to step away from his post.

Kim is expected to lead efforts to stop the widely anticipated second attempt to take Yoon into custody.

Police are also expected to seek a warrant to detain Kim as he has ignored three summonses. They are reportedly considering taking Kim and other PSS officials into custody during their next attempt to carry out the warrant against Yoon. (Yonhahp)