Kim Seong-hoon "First Lady Also Subject to Security"…Reluctant to Approve 'Residence Search Warrant' Amid Opposition Party's Demand

Yoon Geonyoung: "Received a tip that a confidential phone was issued to Kim Keonhee"
Kim Seonghoon: "Cannot confirm, and do not know the details"
Controversy over Security Service anniversary event turning into President Yoon's birthday party

Kim Seong-hoon, the acting head of the Presidential Security Service, expressed reluctance on the 22nd in response to the opposition party's request to approve the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit's (HSCI) attempt to conduct a search and seizure at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, stating, "Not only the president but also the first lady are subjects of protection."

On the same day, Kim appeared at the first hearing of the National Assembly's Special Committee on the Investigation of the Alleged Treason Charges through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Government, and after making this statement in response to Chairman Ahn Gyu-baek's demand, he added, "We will make a judgment according to the law."

The Security Service has so far denied search and seizure in protected areas such as the Presidential Office and the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, citing Article 110 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which states that places requiring military secrecy cannot be searched or seized without the consent of the person responsible.

In response to Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Geon-young's question about whether President Yoon Seok-yeol ordered the deletion of the server by the manager of the confidential phone server, Kim answered, "That is completely untrue."

Lawmaker Yoon also claimed that he received a tip that a confidential phone was issued to the first lady on the same day. According to Yoon, one Galaxy S20 5G model confidential phone was given to the first lady, and the Security Service provided ministers with lists of confidential phone numbers for the president and first lady, the prime minister, and ministers.

When asked whether the Security Service issued a confidential phone to the first lady, Kim avoided answering, saying, "I cannot confirm that, and I do not know the detailed information." Then, lawmaker Yoon pressed, "You are the head of the Security Service and previously the director of the Planning (Management) Office; is it acceptable for you not to know this information?"

Kim Sang-hoon, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Service, appeared as a witness at the first hearing of the "Special Committee on the National Assembly Investigation into the December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident" held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, responding to Chairman Ahn Kyu-baek's request for cooperation in the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's search of the presidential residence. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

There were also consecutive questions from ruling and opposition lawmakers regarding allegations that the 60th anniversary event of the Security Service in December 2023 was turned into a birthday party for President Yoon, with soldiers from the 55th Guard Unit performing.

Park Joon-tae, a member of the People Power Party, asked, "There are claims that the Security Service held private banquets such as the president's birthday. Does the Security Service often hold such events?" Kim responded, "I cannot confirm due to security reasons."

Park then revealed a photo of several people playing music, stating, "This is a photo of the State Guest House during former President Roh Moo-hyun's retirement ceremony. All the performers are Security Service staff," and added, "Although I will not disclose more, there is also a photo showing Security Service staff performing a congratulatory show at Nokjiwon during former President Roh's birthday."

He continued, "At that time, in 2005, they were in Busan preparing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) security, but there are reports that those staff came back to Seoul to perform. Can you verify if this tip is accurate?" Kim replied, "Every administration has various events, but I cannot confirm detailed matters as they are security issues."

On the other hand, when lawmaker Yoon criticized, "Many parents in South Korea send their children to the military or police. Is it right for those children to be mobilized for the president's birthday party?" Kim countered, "They were not mobilized for a birthday party; that day was the 60th anniversary event of the Presidential Security Service."

In response, lawmaker Yoon scolded, "Then why do you have a presidential acrostic poem and a birthday congratulatory song with changed lyrics (Noga-ba)?"

Kim Sang-hoon, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Service, appeared as a witness at the first hearing of the "Special Committee on the National Assembly Investigation into the December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident" held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, responding to Chairman Ahn Gyu-baek's request for cooperation in the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's search of the presidential residence. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.